20 Feb 2008

Warning about impact of Tongan power price hike

4:12 pm on 20 February 2008

The Tongan Women's Action Group for Change says a more than 20 percent power price increase will be too much for most families.

This comes after the power company, Shoreline, has increased its electricity charges by 21 percent to offset an increase in the price of fuel.

A group's spokesperson, Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, says many households won't be able to afford to pay more for power.

"Any electricity price hike will affect especially those with a lower income, those who are in hardship, living in poverty, especially those in the urban and rural areas, yes something needs to be urgently done by our government to urgently because it will affect the way that families operate on a day to day basis."

Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki hopes there'll be talks this week to address this issue.