Stop utility, petroleum price hikes now — Afag

The Alliance For Accountable Governance (AFAG) is concerned about the quality of services that utility providers render to Ghanaians.

According to the AFAG, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Water Company (GWC) have not shown much care in relation to the needs of their customers. 

In a statement, it said it was worrying, especially, when one considered the level of increment the two companies sought with the excuse of providing qualitative services.

In the midst of the current economic hardship, the AFAG pointed out that it was irritating to experience an unstable electricity and water supply.

“It makes no sense for the ECG and the GWC to ask the already-struggling Ghanaians to pay more tariffs only to be served with worse services. It is worth recalling that  a few months ago, said they needed to increase tariffs the ECG,to help them to upgrade their equipments and replace obsolete ones so that they could deliver improved services. This proposed increment was accepted by Ghanaians because of the promise and hope for better and more reliable services but as it is evident now, these services get worse every passing day,” AFAG stated. 

AFAG said it was not happy with the poor treatment being meted out to Ghanaians who have to pay so much for these poor services because of the monopoly enjoyed by the ECG and the GWC. 

It said the ECG and the GWC had taken undue advantage of consumers for far too long; stating that Ghanaians would no more not tolerate any further tariff increases until they enjoy better supply of services and get value for money. 

The AFAG has, therefore, called on the government to immediately cease any further increment in the prices of utilities. 

“We call on the PURC to abort the automatic price adjustment until the government fixes the economy. We can no longer entertain any form of disrespect from the monopoly these service providers are over-enjoying. Furthermore, the AFAG would also ask the government not to adjust petrol prices anymore, since the price of crude is falling on the international market. We urge the government to salvage the situation because the taxpayers are tired,” it concluded.