The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has begun a nationwide consultative meeting with stakeholders on a planned tariff increment by utility providers.
The PURC is meeting opinion leaders and a cross section of Ghanaians to dialogue with them on plans by the utility providers to increase tariffs.
The PURC about a month ago increased electricity and water tariffs by 51.73% and 15% respectively but deferred that of electricity.
[contextly_sidebar id=”B4oakL2lieWfLW2TN0ipBvv6aFr2hj4h”]A statement from the PURC explained that it “decided to defer the increase for electricity due to the current electricity supply situation,”
The approval by the PURC was met with stiff opposition by consumers who said that the current energy crisis does not warrant an increase in tariffs.
Speaking to Citi News on the latest plans, Nana Yaa Jantuah, Director of Public Relations and External Affairs at the PURC said consultations are ongoing to seek the best way out.
Madam Jantuah said her outfit is receiving proposals from the utility companies explaining that the current exercise “is not the automatic adjustment formula,” but backed it is backed by law.
She said consultations are ongoing in Koforidua in the Eastern Region where they are having a “public hearing on proposals for tariff increase to the public.”
“When we finish with Koforidua, we will go to the Ashanti region, Brong Ahafo and then we go to the Northern part of Ghana for the utilities to present their case to the public,” she added.
On the emergency power barges being procured by government to supplement the nation’s power needs, Nana Yaa Jantuah said “we don’t have the prices of the emergency power plants.”
“So as part of this process we are also looking at bringing up the prices of these plants,” she added.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin