The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has stated that the intermittent power outage being experienced in the country is due to maintenance of transformers by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Mrs. Pamela Naa Aku Shika Brown, the Public Relations Officer of the PURC, in an interview with Fantehemaa on the Dadi FM “Efa wo ho” morning show stated the 630 transformers of the ECG are currently experiencing an increase in demand, a situation which has necessitated maintenance activities.
She said the maintenance schedule is what has resulted in power outage in the country between the hours of 7 pm and 11 pm, and explained that since the situation was not load shedding or dumsor, a time-table for consumers regarding the situation was not required.
To the latter part of this statement, Fantehemaa was quick to stress on the need for ECG to provide a time-table to which they would be held accountable.In response to concerns raised about power outage outside the stipulated time frame, Mrs. Brown said some of the problems may be caused by faults in the localities and asked consumers to call PURC in such cases.
She said she would encourage Consumers to make use of protective gadgets to prevent appliances from developing faults, and refrigerated food from going bad.
In relation to payment of compensation for consumers, Mrs. Brown said no complaints have been received this year on power issues, however, some compensation was paid to consumers last year after independent investigations by the Commission. She mentioned that complaints can be made to PURC via email, WhatsApp, toll-free phone calls or walk-ins.
‘’The PURC Estimator App, available on play store was introduced to allow customers estimate monthly electricity bills and prevent over-billing, by providing information on appliance usage’’ Mrs. Brown said.
Mrs. Gifty Bruce Nelson, the Greater Accra Regional Manager of PURC, stressed on the Commissions independent status, and promised to inform consumers of the outcome of a meeting to be held next week with ECG on the current power situation.
She mentioned she will urge the public to desist from tempering with transformers and switching of phases, as that can results in low voltage on some loads.
The PURC was established under ACT 538 of the 1992 constitution with the mandate to improve tariffs and standard of utilities.
The Commission has a monitoring team under their Energy Directorate and currently has the power to sanction defaulting Institutions.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Thelma Okaebea Obeng and Tracy Adjeley Sackey
