The public utility regulation commission {PURC} has held a days public hearing forum with stakeholders at the multi-purpose auditorium of the University for development studies {UDS} in the Northern regional capital Tamale to discuss the proposed tariffs review for 2022-2027.

speaking at the event, guest of honor Naa Yakubu Abdulai, paramount chief of the sagnerigu traditional area commended the PURC for the stakeholder engagement in the review of tariffs. According to him the proposed 334% and 113% increased by the Ghana water company limited and Northern electricity distribution company respectively is insensitive to the plight of the costumer..

He admonished consumers against power theft which according to him leads to an increase in the cost of power production and a resultant increase in tariff charges. Additionally the traditional ruler expressed worry over the conduct of some NEDCO officials in dealing with persons who allegedly engage in power theft, siting the rampant interruption of power supply as reason for some consumers failing to live up to their responsibility of paying tariff charges. He however remains optimistic consumers and power suppliers in the northern region will find a common ground to address their differences.

On his part Hashim Iddrisu who spoke on behalf of the Northern electricity distribution company {NEDCO} concedes the failure of the company to provide improved services to costumers is down to their costumer profile of which he disclosed 80% of such costumers are households with less than 1% in the industrial sector.

According to him, suppressed demand due to low voltage , overloaded distribution , infrastructural deficit, high incidence of bush fires and rainstorms and power theft constitute impediments to providing improved services to its customers. Adding that the recurring power outages experienced in most parts of the Tamale metropolis is as a result of wear and tear of available equipment.

The company according to him, will require the cash sum of 482 million dollars to invest in the construction of a primary sub-station in Lamashegu, up grade 100KM of lines in the metropolis, construct 5 service centers and undertake the kexim project signed between Ghana and the Korean government to help service the debt owed by the company and help fulfill their pledge to render improved services to its costumers.

Nedco amongst other things is seeking a tariff increasing owing to increase in the cost of electricity supply, high inflation rate, rising exchange rate between the Ghana cedi and the U.S dollar.

At the same event, the Ghana water company in justifying its call for an increase in tariffs, disclosed the depreciation of the Ghana cedi, activities of illegal miners, excessive sand winning have all led to an increase in the cost of water production and supply hence the need to have an increase in tariffs to cushion the entity and help improve their service delivery.

participants expressed mixed reaction as some believe the public engagement is nothing more than a procedural move by the public utility regulatory commission to get the review tariffs approved. whiles other opine the move will go to influence the ultimate decision of the commission in coming out with a reviewed tariff effective July 1, 2022