The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has held its Multi-Year Tariff Review Public Hearing in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, inviting stakeholders to deliberate on proposed adjustments in utility tariffs for the 2026–2030 period.
The hearing formed part of a nationwide consultation process to solicit public input and give utility providers the opportunity to justify the proposed upward adjustments in tariffs.
Addressing participants, the chairperson of the stakeholder committee at PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah, emphasized the commission’s dual responsibility to ensure that consumers receive value for money while maintaining the financial viability of utility service providers.
“For us at the PURC, we have to strike that difficult balance—ensuring the financial viability of utility service providers while at the same time guaranteeing that you, our consumers, get the right kind of service,” she stated.
“We are highly committed to ensuring that after you have paid your bill, you get the quality of service you deserve.”
Mrs. Jantuah shared her personal experience with erratic power supply in the region and called on the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to improve its services.
“My experience in this region has not been good. Where I stayed, the lights went off intermittently nine times — that is woefully unacceptable,” she said.
“You cannot ask consumers to pay tariffs when you are not fulfilling your side of the bargain. When I pay my bill, I expect reliable service. If this is happening in one hotel, then God only knows what ordinary consumers are going through. As NEDCo presents its figures to us today, we also expect an assurance of quality service.”
She cautioned utility providers to improve their performance, warning that the PURC would not hesitate to impose sanctions on those who fail to deliver quality services.
“The PURC will not hesitate to sanction you if you are not doing the right thing. The consumer makes your work possible—if they don’t pay, you cannot function,” she said.
Mrs. Jantuah also urged consumers to play their part by paying their bills promptly to ensure sustainable service delivery.
“While it is your right to receive adequate and reliable power, it is also your responsibility to pay your bills,” she added.
The public hearing, organized by the PURC in collaboration with NEDCo and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), brought together residents, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders to share input on the proposed tariff adjustments.
The Bolgatanga event was part of a broader national consultation aimed at gathering feedback before the Commission finalizes its tariff decisions for the next regulatory period. The PURC is expected to conclude its nationwide hearings in the coming weeks and announce its final decision before the end of the year.
For many residents of Bolgatanga, the hope is that the tariff review will not only focus on pricing but also on performance, accountability, and fairness in the delivery of essential utilities.
Source: a1radioonline.com|Samuel Adagom|Bolgatanga
