According to the association's executive coordinator, Gilberto dos Santos, the executive did not consult consumer protection associations, as established by the Consumer Protection Law, and the measure, which should come into force next month, "violates consumer interests."
"Therefore, we, as a Consumer Protection Association we are preparing and we will present some precautionary measures to the Court next Monday to suspend this change [of tariffs], as it did not fulfill the current legal proceedings," said the official.
Speaking to Lusa, Gilberto dos Santos said that his organization has reiterated times to comply with the government's legal provisions, arguing that it is incumbent upon the Regulatory Institute of Water and Electricity Services (IRSEA) to submit the proposal to update the tariffs to the Tariff Council, of which the association is a member.
"This has not been fulfilled and we, to safeguard the economic interests of consumers, we will advance with these precautionary measures, as we are surprised by this measure of the executive," he said.
Water and electricity rates in the country will increase 30 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively, according to the new table approved by IRSEA, which comes into force next month.
Irsea points out, in the statement, that the updating of tariffs will be gradual and aims to cover the increase in production and distribution costs, modernize and expand networks in urban and rural areas and to avoid the degradation of services.
Electricity will suffer an initial adjustment of 11.5 percent, based on an average rate of 12.8 kwanzas/kWh.
Gilberto dos Santos insisted that the approved measure “greatly violates” the attributions of the Irsea Tariff Council, as a regulatory institute of the energy and water sector, regretting the fact that the associations were not consulted on the subject.
The increase in water and electricity prices “will further weigh on consumer invoices, because they are essential public services, at a time when they are without purchasing power and already with other daily needs,” he concluded.
According to Irsea estimates, a family in the social domestic category I (which benefits from an invoice discount) with a contracted power of 1.3 kVA that paid an average of 291.88 kwanzas will pay 379.68 kwanzas.
As for water, the fare will have an initial adjustment of 30 percent (taking into account an average rate of 780 kwanzas/m3), with a phased readjustment, “maintaining the subsidiary to chemicals essential for treatment”.
Irsea highlights the new tariff structure “staggered and consumer -based”, being the social tariff maintained to protect families from lower income.
