President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has charged a new nine (9) member governing board of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) to elevate the work of the commission beyond the review of utility tariffs.
According to the President, the PURC must concentrate on the delivery of quality service as well as the protection of the Ghanaian people.
Addressing the board after administering the official oath and the oath of Secrecy, President Akufo Addo said the board must be ready to work to protect the interest of the people of Ghana and where a Utility Service Provider fails to meet required standards of performance, they ought to be sanctioned appropriately.
The Chairman of the governing board of the PURC, Michael Opam in his response to the President assured that the board accepts the challenge to lead the regulation of utilities sector in the country.
He added that he and his colleagues will uphold the key pillar of the commission which is to balance the interest of consumers and investors in the electricity, natural gas and water sectors.
The PURC board is chaired by Michael Opam. Daniel Owusu- Koranteng is the Representative of the Trade Unions Congress, the Association of Ghana Industries is represented by, Dr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi, and representative of the Consumer Protection Agency is Ebo B. Quagraine.
The others are four nominees of the President and they are Prof. Joe Amoako Tuffour, Ismael Edjekumhene, Emmanuel Sekor and Madam Dora Oppong.
The PURC was set up as a multi- sectorial regulator by Government of Ghana in October, 1997 under the Public Utilities Regulatory Act, 1997 (Act 538) as part of the utility sector reform process to regulate the provision of utility services in the electricity and water sectors.
By virtue of the Energy Commission Act, 1997 (Act 541) PURC also has regulatory responsibility over charges for supply, transportation and distribution of natural gas services.
Under Section 4 of Act 538, PURC is an independent body and is not subject to the control of any authority in the performance of its functions. The Office of the President exercises administrative oversight for the Commission.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Wilberforce Asare