Stop robbing Ghanaians - Critical Thinkers International tells PURC and Gov’t

Pressure group Critical Thinkers International has condemned Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) over its decision to hike utilities by more than 50%, describing it as an attempt to rob Ghanaians to settle government indebtedness to the power providers.

PURC on Monday announced a 59.2% and 67.2% rise in water and electricity tariffs respectively.

But Critical Thinkers International argues that though they are not against tariff adjustments, they believe this one was wrong because it is more of robbing Peter (Citizens of Ghana) to pay Paul (Debt of Government).

CTI noted in a statement that many Ghanaians have been made poorer under President Mahama government and therefore must not be burdened further by making them pay for over 700 million dollars government owed ECG and VRA.

CTI described as unacceptable reasons assigned by the PURC that it was increasing utilities rate to enable the providers improve their services stressing “this is about the third time since 2012 that PURC has made such increment with the same reason, but the energy crisis in particular is getting worse.

“We will recommend the PURC to hold the bull by the horn and either force or advice (which ever is in their legal jurisdiction) the government to pay all its debts owed ECG and VRA fully so that they can through that settle their debts to various Power Generation companies in the country,” CTI suggested.

Story by: Michael Creg Afful

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