The Minority in Parliament has expressed reservations about the announcement of new utility tariffs announced by the PURC, saying Ghanaians should have been cushioned from upward adjustments in the face of the current economic hardship.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Mines and Energy Committee, John Jinapor in a press statement, noted that the tariff increment will only exacerbate the current high cost of living.
According to Mr. Jinapor, the increase will also “worsen the plight of the already impoverished Ghanaian.”
The Minority said government is capable of cushioning citizens with the benefit of the hugely anticipated 500 thousand dollars’ windfall from the country’s share of petroleum products.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, PURC yesterday announced increases in water and electricity tariffs by 21.55 and 27.15 percent respectively, effective Thursday, September 1.
But the statement signed by Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee John Abdulai Jinapor said even the 27.15 percent for electricity is far below the rate as per the caucus’s calculations.
The Minority said in the face of high cost of living as well as the increased consumption in petroleum products, there is the need for government to meet consumers half-way just like the NDC government did in 2016.
It added that, the increment is on account of worsening the cedi against other major trading currencies.
The statement also noted that the cedi has in recent times witnessed a free fall and rated amongst the worst performing currencies in the world.
The Minority cautioned the PURC to refrain from capturing the AKSA plant whose contract tenure expired in the price build-up, since that will be illegal.