PARLIAMENT DEBATES TARIFF INCREMENTS

12/07/2010 Parliament revisited amidst debate, the recent increment Public Utility Regulation Commission, PURC, made on utility tariffs. A motion moved by Hon. Edward Ennin entreated the House to express concern on PURC’s recent increment on electricity and water tariffs.
Nkoranza South and Navrongo Central MPs, Kwame Amporfo Twumasi and Joseph Kofi Adda respectively called on Government and for that matter PURC to reconsider immediately the increments, suggesting that old rates be maintained until a major review has been made on incomes.

The MPs were of the view that the increments were having serious implications on households and industries and therefore Government could intervene in the policies and programmes of the utility companies to enable them deliver services moderately to consumers.

The Majority Leader, Hon. Cletus Avoka, on the other hand, called for a suspension of the debate saying the matter is before court and a further debate could prejudice its decisions.
The Member for Sekondi, Papa Owusu-Ankomah however strongly disagreed with the Majority Leader noting that the motion was only seeking the consent of the House and not pronouncing judgment on the matter before the Court.

He added therefore that the motion will, in no way prejudice the decisions of the court. 1st Deputy Speaker, Hon. Doe Adjaho who chaired proceedings, referred the admission of the motion to Madam Speaker saying she would be in a better position to rule on the matter.