Utility Tariffs Up

Nana Yaa Jantuah, PRO of PURC

Despite the erratic supply of electricity and the trauma consumers go through on a daily basis, the Public Regulatory and Utilities Commission (PURC) has increased utility tariffs.

From April 1, 2015, electricity tariffs would go up by 2.63 percent while the water tariff would be increased by 1.06 percent.

According to the PURC, in a press release, in calculating the tariffs for the second quarter's Automatic Adjustment Formula, it arrived at an actual increase of 31.73 percent cumulative for electricity and 21.30 for water but using the decision variable, it decided to pass on a minimal tariff increase.

The Commission further explained that the 'action has been necessitated by the current electricity situation whereby consumers are spending extra income on the acquisition of other alternative sources of electricity.

'The increase is meant to preserve the current load-shedding situation by assisting the electricity distribution companies to maintain their network under the current circumstances to avoid an immediate collapse of the distribution network.

Government has vowed to procure power barges to address the power crisis in the country.

But no arrangements have been made to receive the barges at the Tema Port when the media visited the area.

'At least there should be some preparatory works ongoing at the Tema Port to receive the barges,' analysts said.

By Cephas Larbi
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