President Akufo-Addo swearing in the Board of PURC
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commended the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC) for reducing electricity tariffs for residential, non-residential, mines and special load tariff customers, effective 1st April, 2018.
According to President Akufo-Addo, government proposed a review of the tariff setting methodology and cost structure of energy production which resulted in the recent reduction in electricity tariffs.
“Happily, the PURC has taken forward the proposal of government to make it effective. Residential customers, as from 1st April, are now enjoying a 17.5% reduction; non-residential customers have seen their electricity bills cut by 30%; the mines are now entitled to a 10% reduction, whilst special load tariff customers are also enjoying a 25% reduction,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo made this known on Wednesday at the Jubilee House when he swore into office two members of the PURC Board.
He noted that since its inception, the PURC had contributed positively to the promotion and sustainability of competition in the power sector, which had witnessed the introduction of private sector investments in the utilities.
Through these, he indicated, the country has seen a marked improvement in accessibility to utility services.
“However, one of the most notable functions as seen by most Ghanaians to be effectively discharged by the PURC has to do with the review of utility tariffs most often than not in an upward manner,” he said.
The President continued, “It would appear that the other functions, primarily to do with the protection of the interests of the consumer and the delivery of quality service by utility providers, have been largely shirked by the PURC. This perception can no longer be allowed to fester. It must change.”
The President noted that the PURC must protect the interests of the Ghanaian people in accordance with Act 538.
“In consonance with Section 13 of the Act, I urge you to ensure that where a public utility provider fails to meet any required standard of performance, it is appropriately and duly sanctioned.