PURC justifies tariff hikes despite public outrage

The Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) has justified the latest hike in tariffs despite public outburst.

The PURC has increased electricity tariff by 6 per cent and water by 4 percent for the last quarter of the year.

The Consumer Protection Agency has questioned the decision to increase tariffs when services have not improved.

But the Director for External Relations at the PURC, Nana Yaa Gyantua said despite the erratic supply of power, the increment was necessary.

“Even with the increase, we need to maintain this load shedding situation, where I could get some power from the grid and my own alternative source which is not largely reliable.

“There has been a tilt towards crude oil, a tilt especially because of the hydro challenges we are having,” Gyantua told Morning Starr Wednesday.

She further explained that the increase for water has been halted due to unsatisfactory delivery by the Ghana Water Company Limited.

Gyantuah added the increment would take effect once GWCL improves their performance on water delivery.