PURC Lacks Credibility

I think about a year or so ago, utility providers and I mean ECG in particular, made a case for upward adjustments in the electricity tariff through the Public Utility Regulations Commission (PURC). And the argument for the increment in tariffs was that they were going to improve the quality of service and supply of power. The head of Public Affairs at the PURC was on radio insisting that the proposal should be accepted by the power consumers if indeed they wanted reliable power supply. She went further to explain that if consumers needed reliable power supply then they must be ready to pay realistic tariffs. As to what 'realistic tariff' is, I have no idea!
Not quite after the new tariffs were approved, the country sank into recurrent power cuts. And then there was another excuse to that effect. The excuse was that, some consumers have been stealing the power through illegal connections. So the PURC again had to adjust the tariffs once more to take care of the losses being incurred by the power producers even though the problem with power supply (dum_sor) was reaching its acme. This was done faithfully!
Now the case for 100% increment in tariffs is to cater for the high cost of production even in the face of the challenges regarding the supply of power. Even if I don't see light for a week or more, I have to pay 100% increment in tariff? And as usual Ghanaians, being peace loving people will faithfully pay as they cannot reject the said increment that is looming and staring at them in the face! How incredible!!
For how long are Ghanaians going to continue to pay for inefficiency that has characterized such institutions like ECG and the likes? How long are we going to carry this burden on a neck that has already been over-burdened?
 See, there is no logic in putting money into a pocket that is torn at the  bottom, and keep expecting it to ever get full! This is the cancer most of our public institutions are suffering from. And the simple cure is to sew up the leaking bottom and you can be sure to save some money!
The illegal connections can be checked and stopped through effective monitoring and supervision. Those who have used the power but  have failed to pay up can be cut off. I am not an energy expert but this is certainly my opinion. I have not defended any thesis on energy at any level - be it first #degree or #masters or #PhD. And I believe we have a lot of them but our problems regarding energy and #power have remained the same!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

He Didn't Die Like a Soldier

He walked on the battlefield Bullets flying all around him Yet none flew close to his fur Because he was not a target He was safe even among reverberating grenades and tanks He did not swear to protect himself But his people...his own people at his own peril Yet he had to die at the hands of this blood-sucking barbarians Who mistook him for animal And pelted him with rocks His bones crunched as he pleaded for mercy His innocent blood was shed His frozen tears formed a confluence of blood Flowing freely like a fountain Mistake him not for a coward For pulling the trigger could have saved him From these wolves Who were only after sniffing his life out of him. He must die one day But not this way Not to be killed like a common criminal. He died in his prime serving his country, Serving his countrymen, Serving people who did not see his use - people who did not believe in him. He coul
Read more

Regulate Private Schools

Establishment of private schools is on the increase especially in the area of basic school. Some of these schools are not running the GES curriculum but UK and US.  It is one business venture a lot of people are venturing into as it is easy to make money. The growth in this sector may be good for our education system as it affords parents alternatives to choose from. However, it appears they are not being regulated effectively enough. They have been left entirely in the hands of their owners. Some are operating without license.   When the president, in his first state of the of the nation’s address, indicated that Free SHS policy would start in September for the 2017/18 academic year, private schools are calling for inclusion in the intended policy. In as much as I think they should be granted some incentives in the policy, they must not forget that are into business. Their activities are not supervises effectively so they do everything and get away with it. The private scho
Read more

In Your Eyes

In your eyes, I can see sorrow; In your face, I read disappointment From past years; Your lips shiver In utter disbelief; Your looks paint A gloomy picture Of uncertain tomorrow; I write this From a troubled heart...
Read more