Consumer group demands explanation for power outages

The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has given the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) a two week ultimatum to explain in detail, the justifications for the recent power interruptions.

In a release signed by its Head of Programs and Research, Nana Prempeh Aduhene, the CPA demanded a reasonable explanation from the PURC and ECG concerning the consistent power outbreaks or it will organize a nationwide mass demonstration against them.

The agency said the demonstration against ECG and PURC will be for extorting monies from consumers with the pretense of offering them better services, which has so far been a false and fraudulent promise.

The CPA says they have received several complaints from ECG costumers over the sudden power outages being experienced all across the country.

According to the agency, consumers of electricity in the country for the past two months have gone through various intermittent power outages without any reasons being given by the company for the justification of it, adding that the practice goes contrary to what the company promised as justification for the over 100% increase in electricity tariffs.

“Ghanaians accepted such huge and unacceptable tariff increases and are paying those bills with heavy hearts, under all the economic hardships they find themselves in currently. Therefore, consumers will not accept anything from the ECG, but the best of services without any compromise, since they got what they wanted in terms of the tariff increases, which they claimed was to offer better and quality services.”

“As a result of these persistent unannounced power outages, many consumers have incurred huge losses such as lose of electrical gadgets and heavy loss of man-hours by industrial and commercial entities. Consumers cannot and are unwilling to continue to be inflicted with such persistent outages,” the statement said.

It added that since consumers have done their part for accepting to pay the higher tariffs; ECG will also have to do its part in offering better services to its consumers.

“We are therefore giving the ECG and PURC two week's ultimatum to explain in full detail, the justifications for these power outages and a time bound as to when all these numerous power outages will be over with. If these demands are not responded to, CPA and its members across the country will have no choice than to organize a nationwide mass demonstration against ECG and PURC for extorting monies from consumers with the pretext of offering them better services, which has so far been a false and fraudulent promise,” the CPA said.