PURC will certainly approve of tariffs reduction - Deputy Energy Minister

The Deputy Energy Minister, Joseph Kudjo has taken a swipe at the Minority in Parliament for doubting proposal by government to have electricity tariffs reduced.

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta in his presentation of the 2018 budget on Wednesday announced that, government has proposed the reduction of electricity tariffs.

The minister in his presentation proposed a 13 percent reduction for residential consumers.

Consumers in the non-residential category will also see a 13 percent drop in tariffs. However, members of the Minority in Parliament were skeptical of the government’s pledge to reduce electricity tariffs in the budget. Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu admonished Ghanaians not to be happy over the insignificant reduction of tariffs as promised.

He added that the reduction will not be any significant, even if the PURC eventually approves the proposal.

But the Deputy Energy Minister in an interview with Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm said, the Minority are only skeptical because it was subject to PURC approval.

Explaining it further, he said tariffs reduction will be possible and negotiations have been undertaken before the figures were announced.

Government he stressed is only recommending for the approval of the tariffs and he was optimistic that PURC will certainly approve of the reduction.