The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has urged the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to immediately suspend its planned utility tariff adjustments set to take effect on May 2, 2025.
CPA contends that the proposed tariff hikes are premature and fail to meet the legal requirements for adequate consultation and consumer representation.
In a statement signed by Nana Prempeh Okogyeabour Aduhene, Director of Mediation and Arbitration at CPA, the agency referenced a recent publication announcing proposed increases of 14.75% for electricity and 4.02% for water.
However, CPA insists that PURC should refrain from implementing the new rates until its Technical and External Committees are properly reconstituted.
The agency stressed that the Technical Committee is vital for assessing utility tariff applications, methodologies, benchmarking, and conducting technical audits.
Likewise, the External Committee serves as a community liaison, collecting consumer feedback and suggesting ways to enhance service delivery.
CPA also expressed concern about persistent consumer complaints regarding the performance of utility providers, issues it believes have not been adequately addressed.
The agency is reminding the PURC of its legal responsibility to ensure consistent electricity and dependable water supply. It also called on the Commission to act in good faith by postponing the tariff adjustments until comprehensive stakeholder engagement is completed.
