Until the Ministry of Public Utilities finalises the mechanisms for giving 25 per cent electricity rebates, the 120,000 beneficiaries announced by Finance Minister Colm Imbert during the budget presentation remains unclear.
Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission's (TTEC) communications manager, Annabelle Brasnell, asked by the T&T Guardian how the 120,000 will be identified, among other questions, said: “The mechanisms for the programme are still being finalised with the ministry at this time, therefore we would like to defer further response.”
Efforts to reach TTEC general manager, Kelvin Ramsook, have not been successful since he has been reportedly locked in meetings.
A TTEC source said they were “still calculating” the figures.
Former minister of the now downgraded ministry of the people and social development, Christine Newallo Hosein, said the Utilities Assistance Programme (UAP) was conceptualised in December 2010 under the former People’s Partnership administration and by October 2013 they had identified 11,722 people who were eligible for rebates.
Most of them were beneficiaries of $200 grants for the purpose of paying their Water and Sewerage Authority bills, she said.
“It worked out that only 1,286 only identified to receive electricity rebates.” She said these were citizens who were consuming 500 or less kilowatts of electricity or paying rates up to $870 a year.
Newallo-Hosein said at the time 11,000 were receiving disability grants and another 11,000 public assistance but added that being recipients of these did not necessarily mean they were entitled to utility rebates.
She said they had to go through a rigorous process to determine if they were eligible.
Other low income earners, pensioners and those receiving food cards were added as possible beneficiaries.
A TTEC source, requesting anonymity disputing Newallo-Hosein’s claim, said the number of citizens entitled to rebates was actually underestimated.
“It’s closer to 215,000,” he said. This would work out to cost the State around $100 million if paid.
Several average income people interviewed by CNC 3 television said they fell within the $300 electricity bill limit entitling them to rebates.
Imbert, in last Friday’s budget, announced the 25 per cent rebate on electricity bills would be given to 120,000 households utilising power amounting to $300 and under a cycle.
He promised that once instituted consumers would benefit.
Ramsook, in an interview in Monday’s T&T Guardian, said T&TEC would hold discussions with its line ministry this week to work out a mechanism on how the new initiative would be applied.