The new tariffs for utility services announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) will take effect from today, Thursday, September 1, 2022.
The new tariffs include a 27.15% increase in electricity and 21.55% increase in water.
The utility service providers had requested for drastic upward review of tariffs to help them recover and sustain their operational costs.
Ghanaians have argued that the economic conditions would make it difficult to pay for such services.
PURC announced the increases after utility companies including the Electricity Company of Ghana and Ghana Water Company Limited proposed an increase in tariffs by 148% and 334% respectively.
PURC however explained that the decision was arrived at after rigorous analysis and extensive consultations with industry players, as well as an assessment of the economic conditions of consumers.
In announcing the new tariffs, the PURC said for the first it has made it possible for businesses to pay lower tariffs than domestic consumers. This is to serve as an incentive for businesses to stay afloat.
It has also emerged that the new tariff announced for domestic electricity consumers is an average, and consumers could pay more or lower than the 27.15%.
According to the PURC, it depends on the amount of power consumed within a month. Those who stay within the lifeline armband may pay lower but those who consume in excess would pay more than the announced tariff.
SOURCE theGhanaianVoice
