ECG PRO Runs From ‘Dumsor’

…Says, ‘I Didn’t Sleep In Darkness

The External Communications Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Laila Abubakar, yesterday stunned listeners of Accra-based Joy FM, during the station’s Midday News, when she attempted to dodge questions, pertaining to what occasioned Tuesday’s power outage.

Although, the power outage has become rampant in recent times, the PRO, has conveniently failed to provide any reason for the situation, as the company, appears clueless in the midst of the ongoing outages being experienced in the national capital and other parts of the country.

The company, has failed to explain to its cherished consumers, reasons behind the intermittent power cuts known in local parlance as ‘dumsor’, particularly the recent one that occurred on the evening of Tuesday, February 27.

Hostess, Emefa Apaw, had sought to know why, there was a major unannounced outages, particularly Tuesday evening, but there seems to be no one willing to speak, to assure consumers when the situation will normalize.

“I slept in darkness yesterday, what happened?” Emefa asked.

Ms Abubakar, who sounded as though she has been ambushed, first asked the hostess where she lives?

She said “Unfortunately, I don’t know where you live so I can’t tell”.

The broadcaster for security reasons tried to explain that the outage was vast and that it was not just one community.

“It was general, actually many people slept in darkness”, Emefa replied.

Laila, sensing the weight of the question, then briefly responded, saying, “I did not sleep in darkness” implying that she cannot tell what accounted for the outage, because she had her light on when others slept in darkness, amidst the heat.

Laila Abubakar, was hit with the question, when she was being interviewed on the recent reduction of electricity by the Public Unity and Regulation Authority (PURC).

The External Communications Manager, during The Anchor’s monitoring of the interview, could not provide answers to either the Tuesday evening outage or the ones that have been persistent for some time now.

On Tuesday, February 27, several communities in Accra, including Fadama, Abeka, Odorkor, Lapaz, Teshie, Adenta, Kasoa experienced total darkness around 6pm.

The outage, which is not different from the others that have been on-going for some time now, could not be restored until Wednesday morning around 4am.

Coupled with the excessive heat in the system, many Ghanaians, had taken to the internet to express their frustrations, wondering why the ECG, has gone mute over the matter for weeks now.

Some have alleged the ECG, has been shedding load, but remained mute for unknown reasons.

Although, the power outage has become rampant, the PRO, conveniently failed to provide any reason for the situation.

“So, the PR unit of ECG, what’s wrong? Consistently from last week, every single day we get lights out and not a single word from you. Is it a public service you are rendering?” a dissatisfied customer by name Kofi Brobbey said.

Another customer, AfiaAsamaoh Boateng, said “Yaanom are shedding load, but they will not admit it.

Some customers have even demanded that a Timetable be provided for them to plan their activities for both day and night.

Meanwhile, the PURC has announced a minor adjustment to electricity tariffs for residential consumers, with no changes for lifeline consumers (0-30 kWh) and those within the 0-300 kWh consumption bracket.

According to a statement from the PURC, residential consumers using 301 kWh and above, will see a modest reduction of 6.56% in their tariffs, while non-residential consumers within the 0-300 kWh bracket, will experience no alterations in their rates.

The commission clarified that water tariffs for all customer categories, will remain constant during the specified period.

This decision was communicated in a press release, outlining the PURC’s tariff review for the first quarter of 2024, covering electricity, natural gas, and water.

The statement, signed by Dr Ishmael Ackah, Executive Secretary of the PURC, was obtained by Citi News.

During the fourth-quarter tariff review in November 2023, the PURC had previously announced a marginal increase of 0.34% for water tariffs and a slight decrease of 1.52% for electricity tariffs, which came into effect on December 1, 2023.

Under the revised tariffs, residential water customers saw an uptick from GHS/m³ 4.72 to 4.74, while non-residential customers observed a rise from GHS/m³ 14.13 to 14.19.

Water sachet producers experienced a tariff adjustment from GHS/m³ 22.26 to 22.34, while industrial consumers witnessed a move from GHS/m³ 25.29 to 25.38.

The Commission said in undertaking this review, it considered the competitiveness of industries and the general living conditions of Ghanaians.

“Having considered all the underlying factors, the Commission wishes to announce that, there will be no change (0%) in the electricity tariffs for lifeline consumers (0 30kWh), as well as for residential consumers within the consumption bracket of 0-300kWh.

There will, however, be an average reduction in electricity tariffs of 6.56% for residential consumers within the consumption bracket of 301kWh and above,” the statement said.

“Tariffs within the 0-300kWh for non-residential class of consumers remains the same with no change in their rates.

However, consumers within 301kWh and above class will experience an average reduction of 4.98%.

“Water Tariffs for all customer classes remain unchanged for the period under review”.

Source::Anchorghana.com