The government has left consumers at the mercy of price hikes

 

Statement by Haris Polycarpou, AKEL Political Bureau member

13 October 2021. AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

When Mr. Anastasiades claims that the increases in essential goods and foodstuffs are a global phenomenon, he knows that he is telling half the truth. The other half is what his government should have done and hasn’t done, leaving consumers at the mercy of price hikes.

Mr. Anastasiades knows that the price hikes in electricity are the result of his own failure. It’s the result of its failure to bring Natural Gas for power generation purposes, but also the absence of a comprehensive plan for renewable energy sources and actions that would have significantly reduced energy costs.

The Anastasiades-DISY government also knows it has left society unprotected against increases in the fuel sector given that, firstly, it has failed to implement the recommendations of a study carried out during its governance to reduce fuel costs. Secondly, it has failed to promote alternative forms of fuel such as electricity and LPG. Thirdly, it continues to maintain distortions that increase prices even more, such as the imposition of VAT on excise duty.

Nor must the government forget all that has happened in the grain sector. The Anastasiades-DISY government took the decision to dissolve the Cyprus Grain Commission and the country has been left without the necessary strategic stocks to address the current shortages.

However, as long as Nicos Anastasiades and DISY government forget – or pretend to forget – their inaction, society will continue to be burdened with price hikes. They must realise, even belatedly, that they have a responsibility to provide answers and solutions to society.