PURC to announce utility tariffs soon

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) will in the ensuing weeks announce new utility tariffs.

This follows a nationwide stakeholder’s consultative forum and discussions of the outcome of the forum by the members of the commission.

Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is demanding 124% increase in its tariff from Ghc1.78 for 120 gallons of water (5 barrels) to Ghc 4 for 120 gallons of water.

While the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Volta River Authority (VRA) and Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) are seeking for 101%, 108%, and 31.26% increase respectively.

It is not whether the PURC will grant all the demands of the utilities services providers despite public agitations against upward tariff adjustment because of poor service delivery.

Proposals for tariff increases have been as high as 200 percent as the country relies more on thermal power.

Speaking to Oman News, the Public Affairs Director of PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah, said she is not in the position to disclose when the commission will announce the new tariff.

“What I can say is that the commissioners are still discussing the figures, but as to how much and when they want to announce it I cannot tell,” she stated,

The 250MW Karpower is expected to provide uninterrupted power at the lowest cost to Ghana as works begin to connect it to the national grid.

The powership which docked at Tema Harbour over the weekend is one of the many projects aimed at solving the three-year power crisis.

Nana Yaa Jantuah is hopeful that the load shedding exercise currently ongoing will be minimized following the arrival of the power barge.

Story by: Michael Creg Afful

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