The Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) has engaged stakeholders in Takoradi on its 2019/2020 major tariff decision.

The stakeholders engagement would expose the public to the approved tariffs agreed upon by the commission and utility providers such as the Ghana Water and the Electricity company.

Mr. Robert Saka Addo, Senior Manager, Regulatory Economic told the stakeholders that understanding the underpinning issues of the 2019/2020 electricity and Water tariffs was critical in finding a way forward.

He said the engagement will aslo create a platform for key stakeholders to understand the processes and factors leading to a tariff decision.

Mr Addo said tariffs decision over the years had been taken without real engagement with the affected people, a situation the commission had taken upon itself to resolve to build trust and ensure transparency in the system.

Alhaji Abukari Jabaru, the Director for Regional Operations said inflation, technical losses were key factors that contributed to price differentials in the payment of such services.

He also mentioned illegal connections and unreported pipe burst as some of the challenges leading to high tariffs.

The stakeholders queried PURC officials about excess charges on meters and other unproved fees purported to be collected by some officials.