Don’t overburden Ghanaians with utility tariff increment – Edem Agbana to govt

The Deputy National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edem Agbana has kicked against proposals by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for tariff increment.

He said any increment will not be in the interest of Ghanaians.

Speaking on the Breakfast Daily show on Citi TV, Mr. Agbana urged the government to instead cut down on its expenditure.

“Dumsor is back in full force due to the government’s mismanagement, ineptitude, and incompetence and is even shamefully not honest enough to admit it and let Ghanaians know and plan for their lives and businesses. I think that the government should spare the ordinary Ghanaian of this increment in tariffs and rather cut down on its expenditure at the seat of government.”

“It should also cut down frivolous expenditures made by ministers and ministries and rather save that money and invest that in the energy sector so that the people of Ghana will not have to pay for more. What is happening is really sad and depressing.”

Don't increase tariffs – CUTS International

On a similar call, Appiah Adomako, the Director of CUTS International, an organization working in the area of consumer protection, has kicked against the proposal for tariff increment.

He said the utility companies making such demands should be instructed by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to fix the financial loopholes in their systems before their proposal is considered.

“I still think that the regulator, the PURC, should allow these utility companies to go back and fix all the things that can be fixed at their end, collect all revenues that are outstanding before allowing them any increase in tariffs.”

He said the demand for an increment in tariffs must be thoroughly scrutinized by the PURC and must be granted based on sound reasoning ECG’s justification for tariff increment.

The Managing Director of the company, Kwame Agyeman-Budu at a public forum on Thursday, April 8, 2021, said ECG needs more resources to improve its service.

He said while he is aware that the proposal will only materialize after approval from the PURC, he believes that it is critical for ECG to have access to more funds to enable it to operate efficiently.

“We need money to do it [improve]. If we get the increase, we will love it [but] that will be up to the PURC because, no matter what we propose, they will ultimately decide,” he said.

“In terms of distribution, we need support, because we have to do upgrades to make sure the system is sustainable. We don't wait till something is broken before we fix it. We need additional funds to upgrade our systems at all times,” he added.

---citinewsroom