ICU boss mad at poor utility services

Mr Solomon Kotey, General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), has called on managers of the economy to drive the country away from poverty. He said Ghanaians are not looking forward to unsatisfactory utility services and higher tariffs that would lead to impoverishment, crippling trade and swelling unemployment. Mr Kotey who made the call in an interview with Ghana News Agency in Accra, said higher tariffs, adjustment in fuel prices coupled with poor utility services are increasing the re-current and overhead expenditure of industrialists. As a result, industry is virtually grinding to a halt and causing redundancy. He said as a result has become difficult for ICU to negotiate better conditions of service for members of the union. Mr Kotey noted that the plight of local industries is also worsened by the fact that their products cannot compete with foreign goods being dumped into the country. He explained that there are no price control mechanisms and better trade system under which Ghana could market locally produced goods and services. He said until the utility services ensure quality services they should shelf their campaign for increase in tariffs.