Improve Utility Services � Consumers Tell ECG, GWCL

Some consumers of electricity and water have expressed concern over the intended upward adjustment in tariffs by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

Speaking to the Daily Graphic in separate interviews, they charged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to rather improve their services to consumers and not clamour for increases in tariffs.

The consumers also argued that although salaries had not been increased, the prices of goods and services were going up by the day.

They, therefore, asked that the 150 per cent and 97 per cent increment in electricity and water tariffs, respectively, being demanded be reduced if there should be any increases at all.

PURC�s reason for increase

According to the PURC, data emerging after various interrogations and other procedures indicated that there would be a 150 per cent increase for electricity and 97 per cent for water.

Whereas the producers of electricity, comprising the ECG, the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCO), have requested a 166 per cent increase, the GWCL is asking for 130 per cent.

According to the Director of Public Relations and External Affairs of the PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah, the commission was still working on the data to make the final decision on the tariffs.

She said the increment was influenced by indicators such as the depreciation of the cedi, crude oil purchase, gas availability and other market-driven and microeconomic factors.

Service improvement

However, Mr Joseph Adjei, a chartered tax practitioner, said, �I think they should check on their losses, especially electricity. There is so much inefficiency in the system. I don�t see why they should pass it on to us. If they are able to check a lot of their losses, they will be able to, at least, break even. So honestly I am not very much in favour of the increases, especially for domestic users.�

Mr Mark Afutu Neequaye, a human resource (HR) practitioner in Accra, also stated, �I don�t understand these people. Their services are very poor. Instead of looking at improving on their services, they are rather increasing tariffs. In a week, how many times do we even get water? And this rampant power outage is still in the system. So I am seriously against it.�

Mrs Georgina Nyamekye, the Chief Executive Officer of Lynch Medical Services, Accra, who indicated she was not aware of the intended increases in utility tariffs, was, however, aghast at the proposition.

�But that will be serious because times are so hard. It is difficult to purchase things and they are going to increase utility tariffs again! That will be too much,� she stated.

The response of Mrs Linda Koranteng, a shop owner in Accra, was terse: �The utility services providers must not increase their tariffs because their services are not good!�

Increase salaries first

Ms Angela Anim, a public servant, told the Daily Graphic that salaries should be increased before any increment in public utility prices.

Some traders who gathered for the interview said, �We cannot pay this amount because it is outrageous.�

Madam Yaa Ataa, a trader, said the prices of items went up after the increase in transport fares and that had a great impact on business, for which reason there should not be any adjustment in utilities, which would mean a double increment.

Others also asked for an improvement in the quality of services by the utilities, saying, �If prices are going to go up, then we will need 24/7 water supply and 24/7 electricity.�

Source: Daily Graphic