President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last Friday inaugurated the Governing Board of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) with a call on them to protect the interests of the utility consumer.
The PURC, according to President Akufo-Addo, was seen to be efficient when it came to the review of utility prices but neglected the function of protecting the interests of Ghanaians on issues of poor service delivered by utility providers.
President Akufo-Addo said the upward review of utility tariffs which was often perceived as the only function of the PURC Board, “must change.”
“It would appear that the other functions, primarily, to do with the protection of the interest of the consumer and the delivery of quality services by the utility providers have been largely overlooked by the PURC. This perception can no longer be allowed to fester. It must change,” President Akufo-Addo demanded.
“As the newly constituted Board and in accordance with Act 538, Ghanaians demand that you protect their interest. In consonance with section 13 of the Act, I urge you to ensure that where a public utility provider fails to meet any required standard of performance, it is appropriately and duly sanctioned,” the President further said.
President Akufo-Addo assured the Board that in accordance with the dictates of the Act that established it, there would be no interference by the government as it discharged its duties.
He, however, urged the Board to consult widely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that they received the necessary support in their work.
“As members of the Board, I need not remind you that you are not subject to the direction and control of any person or authority in the performance of your function.”
“At the same time, the statutory composition of the Board demonstrates amply the necessity of thorough stakeholder consultation in the successful fulfilment of the commission’s mandate,” President Akufo-Addo said.
On his part, the Board, Chair, Ebo B. Quagrainie, assured that the Board would consult stakeholders on the tariffs structure for electricity and water supply and urged the President to support them in championing the reduction of gas prices to make it affordable to ordinary Ghanaians.
Other members include the Executive Secretary of PURC, Mrs Mami Dufie Ofori; Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, representative of the Trade Union Congress; Dr Yaw Adu Gyamfi, representative of the Association of Ghana Industries and Mr Patrick Nyarko, representing the Consumer Protection Agency.
The rest are Professor Joe Amoako-Tuffour, Mr Ishmael Edjekumhene, Dr Nii Darko Kobina Asante, and Mrs Dora Oppong, nominees of the President.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD