The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has increased the tariff for water by 8.01 per cent.

The new rate takes effect from July 2019.

This increase follows an increase in the tariff of electricity by 11.7 per cent, effective 1 July 2019, as announced in a statement issued by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs Mami Dufie Ofori.

At a press conference, Mrs Dufie Ofori explained that several factors including the dollar to cedi exchange rate, the projected rate of inflation and increasing electricity and water demand have all conspired to justify the hike.

“Due to the compliance by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to the Commission’s Regulatory Order Number GWCL012018 dated 6 September 2018, the Commission has restored water tariffs to the 15 July 2018 rates which is the basis of the increase,” she said.

For electricity, the PURC approved the increase after considering proposals from the Volta River Authority (VRA), the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana Limited, the Northern Distribution Company (NEDCo) and Enclave Power Company Limited (EPC).

She added: “In line with the Commission’s regulatory oversight mandate, extensive technical and financial analyses of the proposals were undertaken. The key objective of the tariff review was to sustain the financial viability of utility service providers as well as ensuring delivery if quality service to consumers.”


Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com/91.3FM