Chairman of Parliament’s Energy Committee, Emmanuel Bedzrah, has vowed not to support any proposals from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), declaring he will not endorse them under his leadership.
“As Chairman of the Energy Committee, I will not support any proposal ECG brings before us,” Mr. Bedzrah said in an interview with SOMPA News Desk. His comments follow ECG’s request to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) for a 225 percent upward adjustment in its Distribution Service Charge, a move the company says is critical to avert financial collapse and sustain power supply.
But Mr. Bedzrah insists such demands are unjustifiable. “The last time they raised tariffs by 17%, we told them to consult widely, but they didn’t. How then can they now ask for a 225% increase?” he questioned. He further revealed that bipartisan criticism of ECG had already emerged on his committee’s WhatsApp platform, adding: “Nobody will entertain this.”
Reflecting on his earlier role as Ranking Member for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Mr. Bedzrah admitted his views on tariff hikes were once more flexible. “Back then, I told PURC I could even consider approving about 300%. But now, as Chairman of the Energy Committee, after hearing from PURC, ECG, and other stakeholders, I cannot approve any proposal from ECG,” he stressed.
His remarks come as PURC engages stakeholders over tariff proposals from both ECG and the Ghana Water Company Limited, which is also seeking a 280 percent increase, citing pollution and the impact of illegal mining.
