Opinion - EAC Shows Willing To Listen To Protestors

Speaking as one of the protestors at the 'End EAC Monopoly' protest held outside the EAC in Limassol, I was glad that a spokesman in the form of Mr. Yiannis Tsouloftas met us with respect and said that the EAC will do its best to help people who have difficulty paying their bills by offering them a short-term payment plan.

It is the first in many changes that I and many others would like to see in our electricity authority. As Mr. Tsouloftas said, the EAC belongs to the people of Cyprus.

Other steps we would like to see from the EAC in cooperation with the Council of Ministers and Parliament are a lowering of the VAT rate from 15 percent to 5 percent, because electricity is an essential service. Lower electricity prices amid an economic crisis is also essential. And a reduction or removal of all the other extra charges that make our bills so horrendously high. Good customer service, including politeness and an efficient approach to consumers would be another step forward.

People who work for the EAC raised some concerns and sorrows, including the fact that they feel taken for granted despite the great work they did in handling the disaster at Vasiliko. It must be made abundantly clear that by no means do we criticise the EAC on this issue. The issues are others - the persistently high electricity prices - the highest in Europe. The reliance on fossil fuels when so many renewable energy companies are lining up to offer alternatives.

Finally, for an EAC that can sustain itself through the next centuries, it must collaborate more and make more strategic partnerships - with renewable energy companies, with natural gas sources. For that, it must pressure the Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament to support this urgent need for change. It would be good for the EAC and good for the consumers of Cyprus.

Otherwise, the EAC's attempts to meet demand with a reasonably-priced and efficient supply will have as much effect as a man with a broken leg trying to run a marathon.

Thank you to all the media and protestors who attended the first protest, and to all those who are group members on Facebook.

For more information on this grass roots movement go to the following links:

Petition link:
http://www.petitions24.com/end_unfair_electricity_authority_of_cyprus_effective_monopoly

Thank you for signing the petition. They will be presented to the EU Peti., amongst other orgs.

Groups: -- http://www.facebook.com/groups/endeacmonopoly/
-- -- -- http://www.facebook.com/groups/oncevoiceagainsteac/

Cyprus Consumers Union: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cyprusconsumersunion/

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