February 5, 1999
OWOS WANTS NEW TARIFFS FOR 1999 ENFORCED
The Organization for Power Company Workers (OWOS) would like to have the
government's agreement to be able to enforce the new energy tariffs for
this year. Calculation reports have already been forwarded to the government
but the company has not received any comments so far on this matter. OWOS
Chairman Sonny Chotkhan finds that the EBS should be given permission to
introduce the real tariffs before it's too late. Chotkhan explained that
at present the government is subsidizing the tariffs. The real tariffs
for 1998 was 49 guilders per kwh but the EBS was only granted permission
to charge 29 guilders per kwh. The calculations for this year shows a tariff
of 85 guilders per kwh. Chotkhan stated that the government would be doing
the community a favor by enforcing the true tariffs and should only subsidize
a maximum of 150 kwh per month. He pointed out that in this way the electricity
would be guaranteed and the consumers would become more aware and efficient
in their consumption of energy. According to Chotkhan the company at one
time could not even afford to pay its oil bill. Chotkhat stated further
that the government should stop subsidizing the buisness sector and use
the money instead towards the health and educative sectors. Apart from
the subsidies the EBS is also responsible for the drinking water distribution
at Moengo. This area has been receiving free water for the past 5 years
from the EBS which has already cost the company 1 million US Dollars in
chemicals. This according to Chotkhan can disappear with proper management.
Chotkhan believes that the business sector is able and also prepared to
pay the real tariffs. Chotkhan also believes that should the government
continue to carryout its present policy the poor will get poorer and the
rich richer. If permission is given to the EBS to introduce the new tariffs
another situation would be created, but the way matters stand at the moment
there is no end in sight. The OWOS has presented a new package to the EBS
directors for the next upcoming labor agreement. The union expects to receive
an invitation from the directors for a meeting to discuss ideas in the
near future.
ASSEMBLY CONTINUES ITS STRUGGLE WITH QUORUM
NDP Parliament's member Jenny Simons pleaded yesterday in the National
Assembly for the revision of the law "Disbursment for Parliament members".
Simons did this because the meeting that was scheduled for yesterday in
which the discussions over the MOP were to begin had to be postponed once
more due to lack of quorum. She pointed out that members should be made
to understand that if they do not attend the meetings they will not receive
money from the people. Before the meeting began, Advisor of State Desi
Bouterse went to the Coalition Room. When asked why he was present at the
meeting he replied by saying that he wanted to see what his coalition members
were about. Simons made her suggestion at 12:40 when 24 coalition members
were present but the list was signed by 25 members. The Assembly needs
26 members for quorum. One member of the coalition, Jagendre Ramkhelewan
was absent and Frank Playfair who is outside the country could not be relied
upon to make up the 26. Simons asked that the law be given priority above
all other matters because it was trying the patience of all those who take
the time to attend these meetings only to have the meetings postponed because
of lack of quorum. She said that parliament members should be made aware
of the fact that they should be present at these meetings to show leadership
to the people by criticizing or supporting thae matters at hand.
SZF TO RECEIVE PAYMENT
It has been reported that the Ministry of Finance will soon pay an amount
into the account of the SZF so that this institute can meet their expenses.
This came as a result of the meeting between SZF diector Dayasankar Mathoera
and the ministry. In a press meeting the SZF denied the statement that
there was no solution ahead for the payments for the doctors and specialists.
It will do everything in its power to guarantee its service towards those
insured. The Association of Medical Specialists had stated that SZF patients
would have to pay for services because the government had not paid their
bill. They were considering raising the tariffs from 4.200 to 6.000 per
consultant.
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