Power Ministry calls for calm between PURC, ECG over sanctions
The Deputy Minister of Power, Mr John Jinapor, has called for calm between the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over the penality slapped on the company by the commission.
Advertisement
The two have been at each other’s throat over the payment of a penalty imposed on the ECG by the PURC. The PURC ordered the ECG to pay GH¢202,640 for breaching its statutory obligations before September 16, 2016 as stipulated by law.
The ECG is accused of breaching its obligation in respect of the opening hours of customer service centres and pre-payment metering vending points which denied customers the opportunity to buy credits for their power supply.
Interview
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Jinapor asked the two parties to work together in harmony to build trust and confidence between themselves instead of engaging in media warfare.
He said there was no need for the attention in the media, adding that “if the ECG does not understand or does not agree with the penalty, it should just appeal or confer with the PURC.”
Concerning the strike action by the staff of the ECG, he said the government was in touch with the workers and that currently, a team had been established to resolve the issue.
He said the team was working with the Chief of Staff after which a final report would be submitted to the President.
Meanwhile the workers who embarked on the strike in the first week of September, 2016 have since resumed work.
Penalty
In a statement issued by the commission and signed by its Director of Public Relations and External Affairs, Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, it indicated that the penalty was as a result of the ECG‘s refusal to provide contingency measures for customers during the periods of the strke.
The statement said the order to pay the penalties should therefore be adhered to by the ECG.
It said failure by the company to comply with the order would attract an additional penalty of GH¢10,000 for each day of non-compliance of the order.
The statement further aded that as the regulator of water and electricity services in the country, the PURC had the mandate to protect the interest of consumers and ensure the financial viability of the utility service provider.
Reaction
But the management of ECG have described the directive by the PURC as unfair and unjust, explaining that the strike was an industrial action which was beyond their control and so did not see the need for any punishment whatsoever.
But the PURC has indicated it would be forced to go to court if ECG fails to comply with the order.
