Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath has refuted Opposition claims that the proposed increase in natural gas prices will send electricity rates up.
In a social media post, Mr Padarath said the increase for light industrial will not affect residential electricity rates, and accused the Opposition of lying and hypocrisy.
Mr Padarath accused the previous government of selling gas below acquisition cost, which caused a major financial loss to taxpayers.
He said the Opposition Leader was part of the previous government that approved subsidies for light industrial customers, costing billions while harming the National Gas Company.
“The Leader of the Opposition was either asleep as per usual or a downright hypocrite. She should know because she was part of a Government and cabinet that allowed light industrial customers to enjoy subsidies that cost the taxpayers billions of dollars while a few enjoyed massive profits at the expense of NGC,” Padarath stated.
“The bottom line is that the increase for light industrial customers will have NO impact on residential rates therefore the Leader of the opposition is a blatant liar. It was the PNM government who pursued increasing residential rates, at that time Mrs. Beckles Robinson stayed quiet and had nothing to say. That is the height of hypocrisy,” he added.
Mr Padarath was responding to claims made by the Opposition Leader during a media conference on 21 January.
