By Bright Ntramah
President Akufo-Addo has charged the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission (PURC) to wean itself off the current perception that it is only interested in reviewing Utility Tariffs.
According to President Akufo-Addo the other functions especially protecting the interest of consumers and ensuring that they enjoyed quality service must be prioritised.
He therefore charged the PURC to see to it that utility providers who render poor services are sanctioned. The President said these when he was sworn-in to the Governing Board of the PURC at a ceremony at the Jubilee House.
Bright Ntramah reports that the PURC was established by an Act of Parliament to regulate the provision of electricity and water utility services as well as transportation of natural gas services.
The establishment of the Commission was part of the government’s utility sector reform process. It is an independent body that provides guidelines for rates to be charged for the provision of utility services, examines and approves utility rates, and protects the interest of consumers and providers of utility services.
The Commission also monitors and enforces standards of performance for provision of utility services, promotes fair competition among public utilities, receives, investigates and settles complaints relating to utility services.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the government has for the last five years ensured that the provision of electricity had improved. He charged the Commission to make it a priority to protect the interest of consumers.
Chairman of the PURC Board Ebo Quagrainie gave the assurance that they would push for the interest of consumers and ensure they receive value for money.
Other members of the Board are the Executive Secretary of PURC, Mrs. Mami Dufie Ofori, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, representative of the TUC, Dr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi, representative of the AGI and Patrick Nyarko, representing the Consumer Protection Agency. The rest are Professor Joe Amoako-Tuffour, Ishmael Edjekumhene, Dr. Nii. Darko Kobina Asante, and Mrs. Dora Oppong, all of whom are nominees of the President.
