PURC promises to ensure value for money, quality services after increasing tariffs

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has assured the general public that it would ensure value for money and quality service delivery from utility service providers.

This was after the Commission approved an upward adjustment of water and electricity tariffs for the second quarter of 2023.

The new water tariffs take effect from June 1.

In taking this decision, the commission said it took cognizance of the cost of electricity, increased volume cost of chemicals for raw water treatment, the Ghana Cedi/US Dollar exchange rate and inflation.

The PURC said is “is grateful to all stakeholders for their participation and input into the tariff approval process.

“The Commission will continue to monitor the operations of the utility service providers to ensure value for money and quality service delivery,” a statement issued on Thursday, May 18 said.

Regarding electricity tariff, the Commission said in a separate statement “The review has resulted in the Commission approving tariff increases for natural gas and electricity for the second quarter of 2023.”

It further explained that the quarterly tariff review mechanism seeks to track and incorporate changes in key factors used in determining natural gas.

“These factors are the Ghana Cedi/US Dollar exchange rate, inflation, electricity generation mix, and the weighted average cost of natural gas (WACOG),” the statement said.

“This review has become necessary to maintain the real value cost of supply of the utility services and to ensure that the utility companies do not under or over-recover costs,” it further indicated.