A Kumasi-based policy think-tank is advocating that the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) be turned into an authority.
The Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBRE) says this will give it more powers to be able to play an effective refereeing role.
Government has proposed liberalization of the energy distributional sector by privatizing the ECG to bring efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Under the proposed concession option, management of the country’s power distributor will revert to government after 25 years.
CEBRE says such arrangement means a return to conditions that have brought about the current debate on the company’s future
The policy think-tank, therefore, recommends permanent deal for the proposed concession arrangement for Electricity Company of Ghana.
It says it will not be prudent to limit the private management period as being proposed.
Executive Director, Gordon Newlove Asamoah says private sector participation in ECG’s operation must be more meaningful.
“There is no point to let somebody turn a company around make it profitable and give it back to the government, which is inefficient, to mismanage it again.”
This according to him “means ECG and Ghana will go back to the problems we are facing now after some few years.”
Meanwhile, experts fear the private investor might extort from consumers with even higher bills.
However, when converted, it means the PURC will be able to oversee all the competitors that will emerge as a result of the liberalization of the sector.
This means if any of the competitors go against the regulations, then the PURC (an authority) will have the power to sanction them appropriately just as the National Communication Authority (NCA) does to the telecommunication companies.
Mr. Asamoah is optimistic customers will be protected if the PURC is made an authority.
“Because of proper competition that will be in place everybody will find a way of being efficient and beat the price down”.
Meanwhile, CEBRE is asking government and Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) to give priority to qualified Ghanaian investors who are ready to partner to invest in ECG.
Latest Stories
-
‘We have missed him for months’ – Arteta on Thomas Partey
16 mins -
Togo heads to polls amid tensions over law reform
18 mins -
Nigerians excited over Harry and Meghan’s planned visit
21 mins -
‘We are sorry but we need to stay calm’ – Andre Ayew on Black Stars recent form
39 mins -
Election 2024: Bawumia dares Mahama to two-man debate
45 mins -
Bawumia is a man of integrity and discipline unlike Mahama – Miracles Aboagye
49 mins -
Ejisu by-election: NDC is sponsoring Aduomi; don’t vote for him – Bawumia to NPP supporters
53 mins -
Freedom of speech must engender development
56 mins -
Ghana Hajj Board announces flight schedules for 2024 pilgrimage
1 hour -
T-bills: Interest rates increased for first time since January 1; government fails to meet target
2 hours -
Ghana retains 10th position with lowest fuel price in Africa
3 hours -
Mahama cuts sod for new Jakpa palace in Damongo
3 hours -
Will Ghana’s democracy stand the test of time in the 2024 elections?
6 hours -
Hindsight: Dreams fairytale run proved one thing; it is possible
7 hours -
God makes rulers, not you; you can’t choose your successor – Mahama to Akufo-Addo
8 hours