By Philip Tengzu
Wa, (UW/R), May 09, GNA – The Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) has held its annual “coffee table” programme in Wa to educate utility service consumers on effective utility usage and how to seek redress regarding utility service provision.
The commission also educated the people on its mandate to mediate between utility consumers and the service providers to resolve complaints against service providers or consumers.
The team also set up a complaint desk at the programme for consumers to lodge their complaints on unresolved complaints with the utilities service providers for onward resolution.
That initiative was in accordance with the PURC’s mandate to educate the public on electricity and water usage, including their rights and responsibilities relating to access to an efficient water and electricity supply.
As part of the initiative, the PURC pitched a camp at the Wa Kejetia Lorry Station to interact with passengers and traders at the Wa market.
Mr. Abdul-Wadud Ali, the Upper West Regional Manager of the PURC, encouraged utility consumers to lay their grievances on service provision with the service providers and to report to the PURC if those grievances were not addressed.
He also urged the utility consumers to pay their bills promptly and desist from illegal connections to prevent them from being disconnected from the service.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during the exercise, Mr. Ali expressed optimism that the “coffee table” programme would enlighten the utility consumers to seek efficient service provision.
“We are happy about the outcome of the exercise so far, and we know we will receive more complaints on the service provision”, he said.
Mr. Ali explained that the initiative was also part of the efforts of PURC to make the Commission a “household name” among the people in its operational areas.
Some of the utility service consumers, who spoke to the GNA at the programme, expressed gratitude to the PURC for the education.
Madam Afisata Mumuni, a trader, indicated that the exercise had been an “eye opener” to her since she had been experiencing erratic water supply for a long time, but did not know who to report to.
The Commission also educated people on the quarterly tariff review, the capital contribution policy, the rights and responsibilities of consumers, the tariff reckoner mobile application and the PURC Electricity Consumption Estimator (PECE).
The Commission also shared its leaflets, posters and water and energy conservation tips among the people at the programme to serve as a reference guide for them in utility usage and lodging complaints.
GNA
CAE/BM