Reverse tariff increases – Group tells government

Young Democrats, a group that describes itself as a youth think-tank that ascribes to social democratic principles, human rights and good governance, has called on Government to take pragmatic steps to reverse the recent tariff increases announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

The group also urged Government not to hesitate to crack the whip on non-performing utility companies to ensure efficient technical and financial performance.

A statement signed by Mr. Tafhim Gbonta, Communications Director of the group, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Tuesday, said the move by the PURC seemed to suggest insensitivity and absolute disregard for the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian.

The statement said many Ghanaians had expressed disappointment in the delivery of utility services and the work of the PURC.

It said the act of Parliament, Act 538, set up the PURC in 1997 to regulate and oversee the provision of utility services by public utilities to consumers and also to ensure both upward and downward tariff adjustments where necessary, adding that “hardly do we see PURC ensuring downward adjustments of utility prices.”

The Young Democrats reminded Government of its social contract with the people of Ghana.

A couple of weeks ago, the PURC announced tariff increases of 78.9 per cent and 52 per cent for electricity and water respectively.

Source: GNA