PURC Decentralisation policy commended

Aboadze (W/R) Sept. 6, GNA- Mr. Daniel Afropong of Public Utility and Regulatory Commission (PURC) in-charge of the Western Region, has been touring some government departments and institutions for cooperation to ensure efficient discharge of the Commission's work.

He visited the Takoradi Thermal Power Station at Aboadze on Saturday during which he interacted with the management and key officers at the station.

Mr. Afropong announced the establishment of PURC office in Sekondi to deal with problems confronting utility service providers and the consuming public and urged workers at the station not to hesitate to contact the office when the need arises.

Mr. Sam Appiah, acting general manager of the Station commended the Commission for its decentralization policy and said the establishment of the PURC office will eradicate suspicion, which sometimes arises between consumers and some utility companies.

He said due to lack of funds, the Station could not translate efficient planning programme it has into reality and hoped the Commission will help to boost its operations.

Mr. Appiah enumerated some of the major problems being encountered by the Station, which he said include high maintenance cost, corrosion of machinery, lack of equipment and high cost of disposal of waste products. The cost of crude oil and diesel for power generation takes more than 80 per cent of the import bills of the Station, he said. The acting general manager said in spite of the problems, the Station is determined to provide efficient and reliable power to boost the national economy.