The Deputy Minister of Power, John Jinapor has given the assurance that his outfit will take measures to ensure the safety of staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), following complaints of physical attacks on workers of the company.
The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) contends that the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) lack of consultation with management of ECG over directive to suspend a new billing software has caused public disaffection towards the company, leading to physical attacks on their workers.
They have therefore given the PURC seven days to withdraw the directive.
But speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Jinapor indicated that the Ministry is devising effective mechanisms to ensure the welfare and safety of staff of ECG.
“Let me reassure workers of ECG and the entire of staff of ECG that we take their concerns seriously and their safety is as important to us as they will wish and so we want to assure them that we shall work with PURC and all other stakeholders to ensure that we take the right decision. In as much as we want to protect the lives of people , I guess you also agree with me that we ought to balance that with the interest of the consumer and so we will certainly find a middle ground and so they should be rest assured that whatever decision we will take we will take their safety and welfare into consideration and if they have any issues, once they bring it to our attention, we shall collectively work on that and find an amicable solution,” the Minister said.
“We have had a very good working relationship with the staff of ECG, they have done fantastic, they have done a good job and we shall continue to support them and provide them with the tools to deliver in ensuring that they satisfy the needs of consumers,” he added.
We’ll address billing system
He also stated that the Ministry will “continue to look at the issues that PUWU have raised” concerning the outrageous bills being charged by the ECG and will tackle them as soon as possible.
“We ought to continue to work to satsify the needs of consumers, that is the essence of governance. You cannot please everybody but you should make sure you deal with challenges that may come up. ”
The PURC in 2015 sanctioned an increase of 59.2 percent and 67.2 percent for electricity and water tariffs respectively. But businesses and individuals expressed displeasure with the increase which they described as astronomical.
Some Ghanaians in various regions demonstrated against ECG with some threatening to beat their workers over the high utility tariffs.
Some areas that demonstrated over the development include Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region and Teshie in Accra among others.
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