Chairman of Parliament’s Energy Committee, Emmanuel Bedzrah, has vowed never to approve any proposal brought forward by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Mr. Bedzrah’s stance comes following ECG’s request to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) for a 225 percent increase in its Distribution Service Charge.
The company insists the steep adjustment is necessary to prevent financial collapse and guarantee a stable electricity supply. But the Energy Committee Chairman says he is resolute.
He revealed that ECG’s recent history of tariff adjustments had already generated anger in Parliament.
Reflecting on his time as Ranking Member for Works and Housing and Water Resources, Mr. Bedzrah admitted his earlier position on utility tariffs was more flexible.
“Honestly, when I was on the other side of the aisle as the ranking member for Works and Housing and Water Resources, I remember, in one of our conversations with PURC, I told them that, well, I would even approve of about 300% for them at that time,” he said.
“But sitting here as the chairman of the Energy Committee and listening to PRC, ECG, and all the institutions that are under PRC, I will not approve anything that ECG will bring to us.”
His remarks were made as the PURC continues stakeholder engagements over proposals from ECG and the Ghana Water Company Limited, which is also demanding a 280 percent rise in tariffs, citing pollution and the effects of illegal mining.
