Thursday, February 17, 2011

PUBLIC CRIES FOR MORE REDUCTION IN TARRIFS

The public are calling on the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) to reduce utility tariffs further.
According to them government has increased fuel prices on numerous occasions and thus the PURC should reduce the tariffs to suite the current hardship in the economy.
The reaction came after the PURC announced reductions on water and electricity tariffs as a result of reduction in the cost of production.
The new tariffs will take effect from the first week of March to May 31, 2011.
The Senior Public Relations and External Manager of PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah explains that electricity consumers who falls within the lifeline with the consumption level ranging from 0-50 units will pay GH₵9.50, representing no change from the June figure. Consumers between 51-150 will now pay 15.95 pesewa per unit instead of 17 pesewas previously.
The category of consumers between 151-300 will pay the same amount. Those consuming between 301 and 600 units will now pay 20.70 pesewas as against 21 pesewas previously
For water, residential consumers who use between 0-200 gallons will pay 79.05pesewa per gallon as against 80 pesewas while consumers of 200 gallons plus, will pay 118.50 pesewas per gallon instead of 120 pesewas.
Non-residential consumers are expected to pay 168.45, reduced from 180 previously.
However, the public urge government to periodically reduce not only utility tariffs but also fuel prices.