Don't expect overnight changes, we are in crisis - PURC

Erratic load shedding which resumed after a Christmas break is not expected to change anytime soon, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has said.

The utility regulator is locked up in a meeting with power producers to understand the factors contributing to a worsening of the power crisis.

It is however publicly reported that the inconsistent supply of gas from Nigeria and maintenance of equipment is the cause. This is not the first time gas supply challenges with Nigeria has triggered this round of inconsistent supply.

Ghanaians had some relief last December when power authorities announced they were cutting supply to industry to ensure that Christmas celebrations will go unhindered by power supply.

Fast forward to January, a familiar story of power supply cuts has resumed with new fervor.

In Kasoa for instance, residents have not had lights for five days. The Kasoa District ECG office is apologising to residents for their inability to provide the utility for the past five days.

District Manager Bismarck Otoo tells JOYNEWS the unit has been forced to shed six hundred megawatts of power.

Addressing public concerns, Public Relations Officer of the PURC Nana Yaa Gyantuah said, “it will really beat the mind of the PURC that consumers will go off continually for 5 days.”

She explained that proper communication between consumers and power producers will prepare consumers for the effects of power cuts.

In the meantime their meeting with power producers is to “find out exactly what is going on.” Nonetheless, Ghanaians should not expect any quick fix to the inconsistent power supply because we are facing a crisis.

“As we face this crisis we have to be clear that tomorrow it will not change. It has to be clear because it is a crisis. It will not change.”