Accra, Oct 13, GNA - The Energy Commission (EC) has declared October= as Electricity month to focus attention on the electricity sub-sector. The initiative is aimed at creating public awareness about the mandate of the Commission in providing for regulation, management, development and utilisation of the energy resource of the country. In addition, it would facilitate the granting of licenses for transmission, wholesale supply, distribution and sale of electricity and natural gas.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Dr Francis Dakura, Board Member of the Commission, said the body was enjoined to develop guidelines and establish the necessary legal regulatory framework for reforming the power sector.

He said the Commission was also to establish good standards of performance for service providers engaged in the supply, transmission and distribution of electricity. "It is the objective of the Commission to let Ghanaians know the efforts that has been put in place to address the wrong in the energy secto= r hence the Electricity month," he noted.

Dr Dakura said electricity was a prerequisite for the economic development of every nation and it was the blood for the industrialisation of the society, so it was right to dedicate the month of October to talk about the crucial sources of humans' livelihood.

He said the Commission has enacted regulations to direct the operation of the power sector including: Legislative Instrument (LI) (1816) for electricity supply and distribution (Technical and Operation) rules, 2005, LI (1935) for Electricity and Supply (Standards of Performance Regulation 2008 and LI. 1937 for Electricity Regulation, 2008. "LI's 1816 and 1935 specify the rights and obligations of consumer= s and the utilities that are or will be engaged in power supply in Ghana," he added.

He said the Commission has prepared and launched the National Electricity Grid Code, which was a requirement of the power sector for the planning, development, maintenance and operation of an efficient economic and co-ordinated national interconnected system. The code is required to guide and regulate the activities of the electricity transmission utility and independent system operators to facilitate competition in power generation. Dr Dakura said as part of activities marking the electricity month the Commission would meet with electricity Contractors in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi to provide them with information on the regulation concerning electrical wiring.

"Another important aspect of the activities will be a stakeholders a= nd consumers parliament where all the stakeholders will share one platform wit= h consumers to offer opportunity to speak about their complaints and expectation of the utilities=85," he noted. He said the Commission would launch an SMS short code where consumers could report incidence of electricity outrage in their areas to enable the Commission to monitor their performance.

Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary of EC, said the commission would come out with a legislation to regulate electricity wiring in the country and address who qualifies to wire a building, what type of materials or cables is appropriate for wiring and how wiring should be down according to standards.

Mr Kofi Wayo, Board member of the Commission, appealed for media support to educate the public on the procedure to connect onto the electricity grid. He cautioned the public not to pay money for electricity meter, since it is free and rather pay for maintenance fees.