PURC to appoint liaison officers in tertiary institutions

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission is to appoint liaison officers at the various tertiary institutions in the country to respond to all utility complaints from students.

Director of Communications at the PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah, who revealed this Thursday said the decision followed complaints from users at the various universities regarding the services offered by the providers.

The Commission says it will start with 10 tertiary institutions in the 10 regions, including the University of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Journalism. The student to be chosen will liaise between the student body and the PURC.

She was speaking at a meeting with the students from the students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Accra regarding what the students say is astronomical increase in their electricity tariffs due to faulty meters.

According to the students, most of their meters installed in their hostles are faulty, something that result in frequent power outages as well, and "overcharge" them for the electricity they consume.

The students say several report to the Electricity Company of Ghana to rectify the problem have proved futile as officials are yet to resolve it.

A level 300 student, Natalie Agyeiwaa Kobi, said her electricity bill went up drastically three weeks after the last tariff increment, noting "I have complained to the ECG and they have not taken any steps to address my issue.”

She said her bill went to GHC15 a week when the tariffs came into effect but said three weeks later, it went up again to GHC20 per week, something she does not understand because there has not been any changes in the electronic equipment she uses.

Responding, Ms Jantuah said her Commission would pursue the complaints to ensure that they are resolved so as to enhance their leaning on campus.

“The PURC will engage students from all tertiary institutions to determine their grievances and ensure that utilities providers respond to those issues,” Nana Yaa Jantuah said.