Group to demonstrate over increased utility tariffs

A civil society group calling itself Truth and Accountability Forum (TAF) has stated that it would stage a massive demonstration to force the PURC to reduce utility tariffs.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) on Wednesday announced a 78.9 per cent upward adjustment in electricity and 52 per cent increment in water tariffs.

The commission in announcing the new tariffs said it took into consideration a number of factors, including irregular service provision.

The increment is expected to take effect on October 1.

Speaking in an interview on the XYZ Strict Proof programme, Shaka Salia stated that the group would organize the youth of the country to protest to ensure that insensitive utility tariffs are reduced.

He said the PURC had failed to ensure that the utility service providers give good and reliable service to consumers adding that the increment would overburden Ghanaians.

According to him, consumers have been taken for granted too long adding that the time is right to demand what is due us. The group dragged the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission to the Fast Track High Court in Accra, to stop it from approving new rates for utilities in June this year.

The case was however thrown out by the Fast Track High Court.