PURC calls off ECG's bluff, threatens regulatory sanction

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has responded to the Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) threat to withdraw their directive to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) asking it to suspend its new billing, threatening a regulatory sanction.

The PURC ordered the ECG to suspend the use of its new billing software until further notice a month ago.

Th commission said the order was necessitated by the overwhelming complaints the commission had received from ECG consumers regarding issues of over-billing.

But PUWU at a press conference yesterday gave the PURC a seven day ultimatum to withdraw their directive.

Failure by the commission to withdraw the order PUWU warned will lead to a strikke action by the uninised workers.

“Accordingly, the workers have decided that PURC as matter of urgency should retract the directive within seven working days with effect from today [Monday, June 6],” the utility workers said.

. “As a result of this, workers of ECG have been exposed to several acts of intimidation, abuse, threats and some instances, physical assault,'' the statement added.

But speaking to the issue, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah said PUWU cannot order them to withdraw their directive.

According to her, they are an independent body that cannot be ordered about or influenced by any external body.

She urged them to go read Act 528 Section 4 and understand the workings of the PURC. She explained, the consumer is their number priority hence they will do all possible to protect the consumer.

''We are an independent regulator. We not in the direction or control of any institution. That is the law.Members of PUWU should read Act 528 Section 4; PUWU cannot give us an ultimatum because we are not one of them neither are we answerable to them. They should write to us if they have any problem with the directive. We cannot react to a press conference by PUWU.''

She added, the PURC is there to regulate the ECG and not the other way round. Nana Yaa Jantuaah wondered why the union workers are behaving like the 'ostrich' when their mother bother has accepted that, there were challenges with the new billing system.

Nana Yaa Jantuah maintained, ''the directive by the PURC was in order and so far, ECG has met the deadline and has submitted to the PURC, a report which will be accessed, and if the problem persist, we will extend the deadline for them to resolve the challenge.''

She revealed, the PURC will sanction the ECG for the insubordination exhibited by PUWU.

''PUWU has given us ultimatum right; okay, they should write to us formally and we will apply the regulatory sanction. We are not bluffing like they did. If they claim they've given us an ultimatum, then they should bodily write to us formally and see if we will not sanction them. Going to the media, will not solve their problem. PURC does not react to threats given through the media. They should do the right thing.''

She stressed, ''the ECG will do what we direct them to do. That is what the law says.''

Nana Yaa Jantuah concluded, ''i heard PUWU says they've been exposed to attacks and assault; are they the only ones attacked? Are they aware of the insults and attacks on my me, both physical and on social media? They are not the only ones under attack.''

She was speaking with Kwaku Owusu Frimpong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio.