The debt of Ukrainians for utility services continues to grow rapidly, and despite the financial difficulties of citizens, the government plans a significant increase in tariffs. In just four months of the autumn-winter period, the debt increased to 113 billion hryvnias, not including the coldest months.<\/p>\n
Oleg Popenko, an expert in the field of housing and communal services, noted in an interview with Yuriy Romanenko that debts for gas increased by 26%, and for heating – by 29%. At the same time, Ukrainians pay the full amount for water supply, ensuring payment at the level of 105%.<\/p>\n
However, the government’s plan provides for an increase in tariffs: starting in June, the price of electricity may reach 5.64 hryvnias, and the moratorium on increasing prices for gas, heat and water will be lifted in accordance with the agreement with the International Monetary Fund, even before the end of the military conflict.<\/p>\n
The expert warned that if the price of gas were to increase to 10 hryvnias, this would lead to a twofold increase in heating costs. For example, for an apartment of 50 square meters, the cost of heating can increase to UAH 5,000, and for an 80 square meter apartment – to UAH 8,000. Popenko also noted that the central government is trying to “load” regional authorities with financial problems, making them responsible for the increase in prices for services.<\/p>\n
“Just soak the local elite in financial problems: guys, you wanted to raise tariffs – here’s your chance,” he commented.<\/p>\n
The expert expressed concern about the government’s policy, because the population is no longer able to pay the existing tariffs, which only exacerbates the debt crisis.<\/p>\n
“I don’t understand how they plan to implement this? They will simply drive people into financial debt,” he emphasized.<\/p>\n
It was previously reported that Ukrainians receive erroneous electricity bills, and that pensioners may be charged a 30% commission on payments. In addition, there is a threat of utility collapse in Ukraine, which could lead to heating and water supply shutdowns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The debt of Ukrainians for utility services continues to grow rapidly, and despite the financial difficulties of citizens, the government plans a significant increase in tariffs. In just four months of the autumn-winter period, the debt increased to 113 billion hryvnias, not including the coldest months. Oleg Popenko, an expert in the field of housing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":23834,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n