The Minority in Parliament is asking the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to without delay cease what it calls illegal utility charges.
The group says these charges though unlawful are also high, thereby overburdening the consumers.
ECG in a recent publication announced new connection charges beginning February 1, 2022.
But in a statement, the Minority demanded a reversal of these fresh charges by the utility service provider advising it to use appropriate channels to adjust service charges if need be.
“The Minority in Parliament has noted with grave concern, some steep and astronomical increases in service and other related charges within the Electricity sector averaging at almost 100%. We, therefore, call for the immediate suspension of these price increments to allow for better consultation and also ensure that due process is adhered to in this regard”, the Minority’s statement signed by the Ranking Member of Mines and Energy Committee in Parliament, John Abdulai Jinapor noted.
Here is the full release
“The Minority in Parliament has noted with grave concern, some steep and astronomical increases in service and other related charges within the Electricity sector averaging at almost 100%.
Even more worrying is the fact that these increments have been carried out in the most opaque and clandestine manner without recourse to any public announcement by the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission.
The Minority in Parliament wishes to state in unequivocal terms that we completely reject these Draconian price hikes given the current economic conditions as well as the surreptitious manner with which the exercise has been carried out. This unorthodox approach is in complete violation of laid down processes which require that consumers are notified of such adjustments prior to implementation.
We, therefore, call for the immediate suspension of these price increments to allow for better consultation and also ensure that due process is adhered to in this regard.
Thank you.
John Abdulai Jinapor (MP)
Ranking member -Mines and Energy Committee.”