General News of Monday, 22 April 2013

Source: Joy Online

PURC rules out tariff increases

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has ruled out any possible increase in utility tariffs in the next four weeks.

There have been reports the Energy and Petroleum Minister and some utility companies have made suggestions of possible adjustments.

But Director of Public Affairs and External Relations, Nana Yaa Gyantua, told Joy Business no review appears possible even in the next two months given the processes they need to go through.

She adds that it is only the Commission that has the mandate to review utility tariffs in the country and not government.

She said PURC is an independent body set up by an Act of Parliament and hence the Commission is not under the control of anybody in the performance of their duty.

She assured the public that nobody can “stampede” the Commission into making adjustments to the current tariffs.