PURC is crazy and insensitive - TDCL Chairman

The Chairman of the Tema District Council of Labour Wilson Agana has lambasted the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC) over its decision to increase utility tariffs describing them as crazy and wicked.

“This is sickening and madness. This is sheer wickedness.” Mr. Agana charged“

“I mean how should PURC review utility tariffs upward to such an astronomical proportion when the dumsor (power crisis) has crippled businesses and sent workers home,” the emotionally troubled Wilson Agana quizzed.

Mr. Agana’s accusation comes in the wake of the PURC’s decision Monday announcing a 59.2 percent and 67.2 percent increase in the prices of water and electricity respectively.

Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) had demanded 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) also demanded for 101%, 108%, and 31.26% increase respectively.

According to the PURC, it considered a number of factors, including the cedi dollar exchange rate, growth in demand, consumer interest and availability of the service, among others before going ahead with the increment.

But Mr. Wilson Agana, who raised concerns over the timing and the percentage increment, said they will oppose it with all legitimate means and with maximum force.

“We won’t accept it. We will fight them and they will see that we are unhappy about what they have done,” he warned.

He said the TDCL will meet Trades Union Congress next week and after that meeting they will let the whole world know what they will do.

In an angry tone Mr. Agana who described PURC as an insensitive entity, said they have been telling the same stories that Ghanaians should pay more and services will improve but that doesn’t happen.

“When you open your tap the water what flows is like Andrews liver salt and you want us to pay so much for this,” he quizzed.

Story by: Michael Creg Afful

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