PURC resolves 93.5% complaints in Northern Region
The Northern Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) received 341 complaints against service providers and consumers in the first quarter of 2025.
Of this number, 319 complaints, representing 93.55 per cent, were successfully resolved by the commission within the first quarter of the year, while efforts are still underway to resolve the remaining cases.
About 290 of the complaints were against the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), 31 against Ghana Water Limited (GWL) and the remaining 20 filed against consumers themselves.
In an interview in Tamale, the Northern Regional Manager of PURC, Simon Ali, indicated that the complaints largely centred on issues such as metering inaccuracies, billing disputes, unlawful disconnections and general poor service delivery.
He added that the PURC facilitated an adjustment and recovery of revenue for both customers and service providers, amounting to GH¢38,911.27 and GH¢124,235.61, respectively.
“The commission is committed to upholding the rights of utility consumers, while ensuring that service providers deliver quality and reliable services,” he stated.
Tariff adjustment
Regarding the recent tariff adjustment of 14.75 per cent for electricity and 4.02 per cent for water, Mr Ali explained that it would help enhance the financial viability and operational efficiency of the utility companies.
He attributed the tariff review to economic variables such as inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, fuel prices and the generation mix, adding that these factors were integrated into the tariff adjustment formula to enable utility companies to raise sufficient revenue to maintain, upgrade and expand their infrastructure.
“The PURC expects that once we increase utility tariffs marginally, it should be commensurate with improved service delivery. Consumers should expect better services from their utility providers in the coming days,” he stated.
While appealing to customers to desist from engaging in illegal connections and pay their utilities, he admonished the service providers to enhance their revenue mobilisation efforts and service delivery.
He said the commission had intensified efforts to increase awareness of consumer rights, tariff structures and the importance of timely payment for utility services.
Writer’s email: mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh
