PURC defends utilities tariffs hikes
Despite the economic difficulties Ghanaians are faced with, the Public Utility Regulatory Commission increased utility tariffs and Alhaji Abukari Jabaru, Director of Regional Operations at PURC has defended the decision.
According to him, every tariff has a control period revealing that the last control period for the PURC had elapsed.
“The last tariff had a two-year control period but had expired and because it had expired they [utility companies] were obliged to submit a proposal based on the guidelines that were submitted to them.”
On Monday, an upward adjustment in tariff was announced by the PURC with electricity tariffs going up by 27.15% while water went by 21.55% and will take effect from September 1, 2022.
Though the prices have been upwardly adjusted, the Electricity Company of Ghana and Ghana Water Company Limited are not satisfied with the increment as it fell below the percentage they requested with ECG having proposed a 148% increment while the GWCL wanted 334%.
Mr Jabaru said, “Originally they [utility companies] submitted a five-year tariff control proposal but had to go on with the three-year plan”.
Alhaji Jabaru also pointed out that as part of the extensive consultations carried out, both the executive and legislature were given prior notice before the decision was arrived at, adding that the commission is not subject to any interference as it operates as an independent entity.
