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Never mind if the lower prices for fuel and electricity would help reduce
transportation and food costs, make manufacturing more competitive and give
working class people more disposable income to take care of their families.
Does the Prime Minister recall that in 2012, the full withdrawal of GCT on
electricity for residential customers was not initially done as promised in the
election? At that time the Minister of Finance raised the threshold from 200 kwh
to 300 kwh, but there was an outcry.
Does the Prime Minister recall that in her Budget speech on June 5, 2012, she said
that she had “heard the cries of the people, and we have listened, and feel the
pain”. She said further, “after discussion with the Minister of Finance, the
decision has been taken to completely remove GCT on electricity bills for all
residential customers”. (Applause)?
Madam Prime Minister, now, almost 3 years later, the Minister has re-imposed
the GCT on electricity for residential customers at the 350 kwh threshold.
Mr Speaker, the question now must surely be, does the Prime Minister still listen
to the voice of the people? And more importantly, does she still feel their pain?
Or, are her election promises mere vehicles to state power only to be discarded
when it is convenient to do so.
This is a betrayal. And it is a grudgeful attitude that the people and the economy
must not benefit from the oil price cut, only the government must benefit.
The Minister tells us he is using the bulk of the fuel tax to hedge against future
price increases, without providing much detail. For instance:
1.
How was this Hedge Insurance procured and from which company?
2.
Was the government’s procurement policy used in selecting the
company?
3.
What are the terms and conditions of the policy?