Ranking Member on the Energy and Mines Committee of parliament, John Jinapor, has revealed that checks undertaken by him proves that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has engaged in price adjustment with their service charges.
According to him, ECG has adjusted these service charges without consumers being made privy to it. Mr Jinapor noted that this calls for immediate suspension of what he describes as covert hikes in electricity tariffs. He explained that the charges are unlawful and will further complicate the plight of consumers.
“My checks indicate that ECG has started some price adjustments with their services and charges… My checks indicated that indeed, they’re charging some new fees on what they call: new service connection charges. These are ten different line items. By the PURC Act, it’s only the PURC that can approve tariffs or fees or charges in relation to electricity and its related services. And when they do that, they’re supposed to inform consumers”.
John Jinapor
Mr Jinapor questioned how ECG could increase its service charges without recourse to the general public and declared that it“baffles some of us”. He indicated that the move was inappropriate, unfortunate, and ought not to happen.
“And so, what we’re requesting and asking the PURC and these service providers to do is to suspend it. They should suspend these increments with immediate effect, other than that, we’ll use whatever Parliamentary processes that are necessary to ensure that the right thing is done”.
John Jinapor
It will be recalled that the ECG in a recent publication announced new connection charges beginning February 1, 2022. Reacting to this, the Yapie-Kusawgu MP, demanded a reversal of the charges by the utility service provider advising it to use appropriate channels to adjust service charges if need be.
Mr Jinapor expressed that the “unorthodox approach” is in complete violation of laid down processes which require that consumers are notified of such adjustments prior to implementation.
“If you want to increase any service fee or charge, it ought to be done within due process; within law, in accordance with law and ensure that the right thing is done. And so, they cannot increase that clandestinely. Consumers and customers, must know”.
John Jinapor
ECG’s increase in service charges
The ranking Member on the Energy and Mines Committee indicated that if the ECG has legitimate cause to increase the charges, then “we must know”. He indicated that the growth of the company is hinged on it and it cannot just increase the charges by such astronomical heights and expect that “we’ll keep quiet”. Mr Jinapor intimated that the Committee will ensure that the right thing is done.
“And so, we want PURC to suspend the implementation immediately, and ensure that they negotiate and discuss and seek the opinions of Ghanaians and also take the current difficult economic situation into consideration. That is even why you don’t need to be coming on with these hikes. It’s unacceptable”.
The Yapie-Kusawgu legislator expressed that even though the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission (PURC) is an independent body, it cannot act on its own accord. Prior to this, the Minority in Parliament expressed concern about what it described as increase in services and other related charges within the electricity sector. Contained in a Facebook post on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Mines and Energy Committee, John Abdulai Jinapor, noted that the increments, which amount to about 100 per cent, have been carried out illegally.
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