President Mahama directs PURC to fix realistic tariffs
President John Dramani has tasked the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) to set appropriate tariffs that would cushion consumers and spur investors on to perform beyond the current state.
President Mahama said as a regulatory body, they should be able to create an enabling and level playing field for private sector participation in power generation, while keeping the interest of consumers intact as well.
President Mahama made this call when he inaugurated the re-constituted Board of PURC at the Flagstaff House, Kanda.
Their target, he said, should go beyond the confines of domestic consumption and assume an international status that would make Ghana a net exporter of the commodity to neighbouring West African countries.
He said the Presidency was always available and ready to support their ideas that would catapult the commission to perform its duties successfully.
President Mahama appealed to consumers to also pay appropriate tariffs to enable the Commission and various utility companies to achieve their targets in serving Ghanaians everywhere.
The President said although the country previously relied on hydro-dams for power and energy, efforts were underway to diversify and step up investment in solar, thermal and coal-fired thermal to supplement hydro-electricity.
The board members are; Engineer Emmanuel Annan, Chairman, Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng representing Trades Union Congress, Dr Yaw Adu-Agyei Gyamfi, representing Association of Ghana Industries, Dr Ferdinand Tay, representing Domestic Consumers and Mr David Kwadzo Ametefe, Government Nominee.
The rest are; Engineer Stephen Akuoko, Government Nominee, Major Rtd Albert Don-Chebe, Government Nominee, Mr Samuel Adetola, Government Nominee and Mr Samuel Kwadwo Sarpong , Executive Secretary.
Ing. Annan said although their task was enormous, the various measures the Government was embarking on could subsequently facilitate their activities.
He gave the assurance that the set of members that they had would facilitate their steps surmounting all the challenges that bedeviled the sector.
Source: GNA