PURC sanctions ECG

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has sanctioned the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to the tune of GH¢202,640.00 and this constitute penalties for the Breach of Statutory Obligations.

The sanction was in respect of the opening hours of Customer Service Centres and Pre-Payment Metering Vending Points of the ECG.

A statement issued in Accra by Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, Director, Public Relations and External Affairs and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the penalty also covers the ECG’s refusal to provide contingency measures to ensure that customers of pre-payment metering had the opportunity to buy credits during the industrial action which was embarked on by ECG workers in the first week of September.

It said the Order to pay penalties should be adhered to by the ECG before September 16 as stipulated by law.

It said failure by the ECG to comply with the order shall attract an additional GH¢10,000.00 for each day of non-compliance.

It should be recalled that customers of ECG, who were using pre – payment metering service were unable to purchase credits at the beginning of September because the workers embarked on a strike concerning the introduction of private participation in the operations of the ECG.

The striking workers turned away customers, who came to the centres to pay their bills.

The statement said the PURC as the Regulator of water and electricity services wishes to indicate that the Commission has a mandate to protect the interest of the consumer.

It is also to ensure the financial viability of the utility service provider and “we will tip this balance carefully and equitably by using all the relevant laws and regulations available to assist us fulfill our regulatory mandate”.

Source: GNA