Some residents of Tamale have expressed strong opposition to the proposed upward adjustment of utility tariffs by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
According to them, the current cost of electricity and water is already too high, placing a heavy financial burden on many households struggling to make ends meet. They believe that any further increase will worsen the economic hardship facing consumers in the Northern Region.
The residents argued that the timing of the proposed review is inappropriate given the current high cost of living.
They warned that if utility bills continue to rise, some consumers may be compelled to resort to illegal power connections as a means of survival.
“We are already overburdened with bills. Increasing tariffs again will only push people to steal power,” one resident lamented during an interview with our Northern Regional Correspondent, Baba Kamil Mohammed, in Tamale.
Others urged the PURC to rather focus on improving the efficiency and reliability of power and water supply instead of introducing higher charges. They noted that frequent power cuts and unstable water supply do not justify any increment in tariffs, calling on the government and regulatory bodies to show empathy towards citizens facing economic challenges.
Meanwhile, a board member of the PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah, has acknowledged the concerns raised by the residents. She assured that the Commission will take into consideration the feedback and sentiments of consumers before arriving at any final decision.
According to her, the PURC remains committed to balancing the interest of consumers and service providers to ensure fairness in the tariff adjustment process.
Reporting by Baba Kamil Mohammed in the Northern Region
Source: asaaseradio.com
