President of the Ghana Hotels Association, Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr addressing the media
Members of the Ghana Hotels Association have hinted at embarking on a demonstration to register their displeasure over the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) astronomical increase in water tariff affecting their daily operations.
A series of statements from the association sighted by the paper revealed that in August 2022, the regulatory authority announced an upward adjustment of 21.55 per cent in water tariff effective September 1st which reflected an adjustment with an increase in rate from 9.230390 to 11.219712 accordingly.
The association further noted that the regulatory body subsequently in January 2023 announced an upward increase in water tariff of 8.3 per cent effective 1st February 2023.
“We expected an increase in the rate from 11.219712 to 12.1509 even though we wished we were spared that. But to our shock, our water bills for February 2023 revealed an increased rate of 30. This represents a 167 percent increase from 11.219712.
This is an obvious anomaly that needs immediate attention from the PURC. The purpose of this is to revert to the announced 8.3 per cent upward adjustment in the 1st quarter of 2023, specifically.” Take steps to rectify the February 2023 bill sent to hotels and restrain the Ghana Water Company staff from enforcing payment of the bills above the 8.3 per cent adjustment” a statement said.
President of the Ghana Hotels Association, Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr. described the situation as “unacceptable” in an interview, indicating that most hotel owners are closing their operations due to constant tariff increases.
“It is rather unfortunate for PURC to increase its water tariff at this moment in time claiming that the 167 per cent is a result of the restructuring of the consumer categories which is ongoing so we should take it easy in the next quarterly adjustment they will have our letter in mind to address it. We find that totally unacceptable,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PURC in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary, Ishmeal Ackah, has invited the association to address the concerns about the increase in water tariff which has affected their daily operations.
“The commission notes with deep concern the issues and challenges emerging from the recent water tariff which took effect from February 01, 2023. In view of that the committee invites you to a meeting to discuss the issues and challenges raised with respect to the current water tariff structure “it read.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke