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The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) says it has secured compensation of more than 36,327 cedis from the electricity company of Ghana for electricity consumers whose equipment were damaged due to negligence and poor quality of service. A statement signed by Nana Yaa Jantuah, Director Public Relations and External Affairs of the PURC, said the compensation was paid after the electricity consumers who lost equipment complained to the PURC for redress. The consumers received between GHC150 and GHC5,045.70. The damaged equipment included Multiple TV DIgi Box, a Plasma TV, Panasonic Printer, Voltage Guard, a Corn mill, domestic and Commercial Refrigerators, and a burnt hotel room. The statement said the equipment were damaged mainly due to power surges and fluctuations. Consumers whose equipment or appliances are damaged due to poor quality of service by the Utility Service Providers can report to the PURC. It said on receipt of consumer complaints, the PURC would thoroughly investigate the matter to ascertain the cause of the damage, before proceeding to let the Utility Service Provider pay compensation to the consumer. The statement pointed out that compensation is paid by the Utility Service Provider that caused the damage, and not the PURC. The statement reiterated the commitment of the PURC to protect the interest of all consumers of water and electricity. Meanwhile, the PURC has outlined its complain procedures, asking consumers with complaints to make either oral or written complaints to the Commission. The PURC said the complainant must provide full details of the complaint, provide supporting documents and state the relief being sought, so that on receipt of the complaint, the PURC would forward a copy of the complaint to the Utility Service Provider, while the Commission conducts a preliminary enquiry into the matter to be determined whether a complaint could be settled by mediation and settlement. The statement said If no agreement is reached, the PURC conducts a formal hearing where both parties are given the opportunity to state their case. The statement gave the assurance that the Commission is committed to ensure that consumers of water and electricity who are dissatisfied with their services, and do not receive any redress from the Utility Service Providers, will have their complaints resolved.