Govt erred in announcing tariff reduction – ISODEC

The Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) says government breached sections of the law by announcing electricity tariff reduction.
According to its policy analyst, Dr. Steve Manteaw, government can only make proposal but cannot impose any tariff reduction on the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC).
President Akufo-Addo came under heavy criticisms for announcing 14% reduction in prices of electricity prices.
But the Minority took a strong exception to the issue, saying the government was bullying the regulatory body.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Dr. Steve Manteaw said the president has no business announcing the tariff reduction.
He explained that, per the PURC Act, 1997, Act 538 (sections 3a and 16) only the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission has the power to set rates and prices of utilities.
The only thing government can do, the ISODEC fellow stated, is to give consumers subsidies on their tariff.
He maintained that, the haste with which the president announced the tariff reduction amounts to the usurpation of the powers of the PURC.
Dr. Manteaw called on government to render unqualified apology to Ghanaians and also urged the PURC not to kowtow to the whims and caprices of government but rather seek the interest of its key stakeholders.