The official reaction is in response to the work stoppage by union members as an act of protest against the hike reflected in subscribers monthly bill.

The unionists claim they are seeking to stop the ENEE from imposing an extra charge, which could be as much as 13%.

Martínez Lozano justified that the ENEE “has never talked about rate hikes,” or increased “a penny the price of electricity.” The measure is justified and they are obeying a law passed earlier.

“We made it clear in the government of Manuel Zelaya, and the Congress approved an adjustment for the fuel, which is the law of the Republic, and has ruled us, the Executive Directorate of Revenue (DEI) and everybody,” he said.

He said the adjustment did not originate in the ENEE, but in Congress, and only Congress can change it.

He explained that this adjustment should be considered; that the fuel “has increased by over 50% in the last two years.”

SEMEH

Among the demands of the union of ENEE is the cancellation of the contract with the Electrical Measurement Service Honduras (SEMEH), to which Martinez Lozano added that this decision can only be made by Congress. It is estimated that the ENEE pays 30 million Lempiras per meter reading to the company.

The contract was signed with SEMEH by the President of Honduras at the time, Ricardo Maduro (2002-2006), and the head of the National Congress, Porfirio Lobo Sosa.

The ENEE manager said that they are preparing to, as soon as possible, have their own mechanism for metering and billing.