Noting down the implications of the exercise, she cited some failures in the process and called on the utility providers to review it.
She stated that “for instance; if you go off beyond the stipulated load shedding period, then it is not load shedding. Some people can go off for four days, some people can go off for three days, even a day; it is certainly not load shedding.”
She thus expressed her disapproval over the roles played by the utility providers in the load shedding process which has since been erratic and therefore demanded the service providers to streamline their operations.
Also, reacting to the requests by the utility service providers for an increment in electricity tariffs, Nana Yaa Jantuah in an interview with Radio Gold Thursday morning explained the reasons that have necessitated the increments.
She maintained that the increments would help boost the operations of the electricity providers and resolve the power fluctuations that have over the months become the bane of the economy.
Disclosing that the PURC has held series of meetings with the major stakeholders; Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), to thrash out issues pertaining to the grievances by the utility providers, she said the utility providers have requested for 166% representing 60 pesewas increase in tariffs to aid them in the procurement of vital assets to improve upon the generation and supply of electricity to the length and breadth of the nation.
She revealed that the Volta River Authority (VRA) has made demands for some “money to buy more crude oil and maintain its plans. And going forward, maybe doing more investments. ECG is talking about expanding its network because they have an increase [a demand] of 10% per annum that they have to meet that demand for electricity is increasing by 10%. GRIDCO also has to do infrastructure and developments, transmission lines, transformers. Ghana Water has to pay for its chemicals. They have to also pay for electricity.
“The Ghana Water cost is a pass-through cost. It’s a pass-through cost because one-third of their operations is electricity, so that if there is any increase in electricity; it impacts on them. So, there’s the need for them to also increase their tariff.”
She further explained that VRA needs financial assistance because of the crisis the nation is grappling with in the energy sector and hoped the tariff changes will aid it together with the other energy providers to resolve the crisis.
“if we do not arrest the situation, it will also collapse the economy. So, there’s the need to do that,” she added.
The PURC, she added, is however mandated to steer the activities of the utility service providers and ensure that they render quality service to consumers.
The law says that “the PURC should ensure the financial integrity and viability of the utility service provider whilst at the same time, protecting the interest of the consumer and ensuring that the consumer is treated fairly and equitably.” she affirmed.
The Commission will today hold a meeting with some Policy Think Tanks in the country to address the issue.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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