Public Utility Commission demands independence

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has asked to be allowed space as an independent and legally mandated body to undertake its responsibility.

This comes on the heels of raging public arguments and submissions regarding tariff adjustments for electricity generation, distribution, and water service providers.

A statement signed by Nana Yaa Akyempim Juantuah, Director of the Commission’s Public Relations and External Affairs, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said: “The Commission shall not be subject to the direction and control of any person or authority in the performance of its functions”.

It said although it had received proposals from the service providers for possible tariff increases, there were due processes that the Commission had to follow before reaching a major decision.

The PURC would have to thoroughly scrutinize the proposals after which the service providers would be requested to publish salient highlights in the media for the public/consumers to make their inputs.

A consultative meeting with the Commission as intermediary and key stakeholders together with representatives of interest groups would then be held and stakeholder comments considered before a final decision.

This would ensure transparency, equity and fairness in the regulatory process, the statement said.

Source: GNA