Tariff hike: Wereko-Brobbey to sue PURC

The former Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobbey, has said he will take legal action against the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) in an attempt to stop the utility sector regulator from implementing another upward tariff adjustment until October next year.

The energy expert explained in an interview on Joy News TV that any reviews by the Commission should take place in October next year.

“I’m simply saying that the time is not due. According to PURC’s own rules, major reviews take place every three years. The last major review was done in 2013 October; unless my schooling is wrong, the next review should be 2016 October. So I’m not asking for a postponement, but asking for the right thing to be done,” he said.

Utility providers Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL); Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG); Volta River Authority (VRA); and Ghana GRID Company Ltd (GRIDCo) have made proposals for over 100% increases in tariffs. They argue that they can only provide efficient services if granted the tariff hikes.

The PURC is currently organising various stakeholder meetings across the country to collate views in relation to the tariff hike proposals.

Apart from Dr Wereko-Brobbey, groups like the Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), as well as the biggest opposition Party have kicked against the proposed tariff increases.