Consumer body wants more from PURC

The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) says the absorption of a quarter of the October increase in the power tariff by government is not enough to put to rest all the anxiety and fears of Ghanaian consumers.

“The 78 percent increment was too harsh, and government’s 25 percent absorption is not enough. You don’t increase anything beyond a single digit. Increasing prices by double digits is outrageous,” Kofi Kapito, Chief Executive Officer of the agency, said.

“It is not that Ghanaians don’t want to pay for utilities, but Ghanaians want value for money. If we are not getting adequate electricity and water, or we are not happy with service delivery, do you think it is right to pay for all these increases? I don’t think so. Nobody will accept this.”

The agency also wants to know from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) how it plans to monitor and police the utility providers so they stick to the assurances they have made to consumers.

“It will be prudent for the consumers to know what measures the PURC has put in place to ensure these transmission or distribution losses that are passed onto consumers are reduced to the barest minimum or to recommended standards.” He also called on the PURC to simplify its complaints system so that issues brought to it are resolved in a short time.

He suggested that the PURC be given powers to sanction and slap fines on utility providers if they do not deliver on their promises.

“The PURC should be allowed to slap fines or sanction the providers, but the current set-up of the commission does not allow that. All it can do is to hold up an increment when it is due. To me that is not enough. There should be a punishment for doing something you are not supposed to be doing.”

Mr. Kapito noted that the agency will not hesitate to hit the streets in protest if Ghanaians do not realise improved power and water provision. “There are some power cuts that are excusable. For example, if the cut is caused by natural occurrences or technicians working on maintenance, with prior notice, then that is okay. But unwarranted cuts will drive us to protest.”

The CPA encouraged Ghanaians to learn how to practice conservation, especially with electricity.

“One common example is to put your deep-freezers off for at least 12 hours in a day, between the hours of 7pm to 7am. The goods in it will be the same and there will be no change in taste. The consumer should also put off all electrical appliances when not in use.

“Government should also make sure that its institutions, like ministries and departments, pay for electricity consumption.”

Mr. Kapito also said the issue of blanket subsidies must end. “The subsidies should affect the people who need it most. Low-income earners, pensioners, and village residents should be the ones benefitting from the subsidies, and not people living in plush areas who can easily pay for their energy and water consumption.”