A Senior Economist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Eric Osei Assibey, has described as “weak” the reasons given by the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC) for the hike in electricity and water tariffs.<\/p>\n
The PURC announced\u00a0an increase in electricity and water tariffs by 59.2% and 67.2% respectively ahead of the Christmas season.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”I522o4C6G14H41ZieZVMP5wBYpGWGVN9″]The proposed increment in electricity, which takes effect from\u00a0Monday December 14, is largely due to the change in the generation mix.<\/p>\n
But, in an interview with Citi News<\/strong>, Dr. Osei Assibey said the reasons being provided are not convincing enough.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not too convinced about the reasons or assumptions underlined for this adjustment because they are quite weak. First of all, what is the cost of production, what are the key factors that drive the cost and exchange rate. The exchange rate has relatively remained stable over the last few months though it has been depreciating,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The decision to increase utility tariffs has angered the public with a lot of groups including the New Patriotic Party describing it as \u201csheer wickedness\u201dand \u201cevil.\u201d<\/p>\n A\u00a0statement signed by the NPP\u2019s acting Chairman Freddie Blay, said the increase can only be described as wicked and insensitive considering the economic and power challenges being endured by Ghanaians.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is sheer wickedness! It is evil, uncaring, reckless and absolutely unacceptable. It is the highest level of insensitivity ever witnessed by Ghanaians under the Fourth Republic, and certainly just before Christmas and in a year that Ghanaians have known nothing but untold sufferings and hardships,\u201d the party added.<\/p>\n \u00a0–<\/p>\n By: Godwin A. Allotey\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n