Although the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission(PURC) has set in motion the process for the review of electricity tariffs, the regulator has made it clear it is not doing so purposely on the assurances given by President Akufo-Addo vis a vis the downward review of electricity tariffs.
The President on various platforms has announced the government is keen on pushing for a cut in electricity tariffs, which has been one of the major expectations of Ghanaians in 2018.
On January 14, this year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced an average of 14 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs for non-residential users across the country.
“For barbers, it is being reduced by 18 per cent; for hairdressers and beauticians, 15.7 per cent, and for tailors, 9.8 per cent,” the President had stated at the opening of the eighth Salon Academy of the National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers in Accra.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament, the African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) all criticised the President for the move.
Some critics had said the President’s move amounted to unnecessary interference of the PURC’s work, with the Minority Spokesperson on Energy, Mr Adam Mutawakilu, saying the President’s announcement undermined the independence of the PURC.
The 2018 major tariff review has commenced, but there are fears that the public may dash their hopes as the PURC remains indifferent to the outcome of the whole process. It appears there’s no commitment on their side to see a downward review of electricity tariffs just as promised by the President.
“As a Commission, on our Timetable this is our major tariff review year and so if the President has given any assurances to that regard, it might just be a coincidence and not prompted by what the President has said.
“Don’t forget Foreign Exchange, Fuel Price, cost of production, and the cost of production among others are the factors that will influence a review. Government of Ghana is also a stakeholder of PURC, and they are part of those who have submitted their inputs on the tariff review. So we’ll analyse all of these before we can determine the review under consideration, the Public Relations Officer of PURC, Deborah Binney told host Fiifi Banson on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 FM.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has begun processes to examine and approve electricity and water tariffs for this year.
The move by the commission to review tariffs is in accordance with the PURC Act, 1997 (Act 538).
In line with that, the commission has set today as the deadline for members of the public to submit their inputs on the tariff review.
