The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has suspended the announcement of an increase in utility tariffs scheduled to take effect on Friday. Per the new tariffs, the Ghana Water Company demanding GHp84 per 1000 litres for domestic use and Gh¢1.50 per 1000 litres for commercial customers. The three electricity companies – Volta River Authority, Electricity Company of Ghana and Ghana Grid Company Limited - are together asking for 154 percent more than what consumers currently pay. However a scheduled news conference by the commission to announce the new tariffs Friday was called off at the last minute. According to Joy News, the decision to suspend the announcement was taken at a meeting convened by the chairman of the commission this morning. Sources at the PURC say this would pave way for further adjustments to be made on the new tariffs, which is believed would not be up to the levels the utility companies are demanding. The suspension however comes on the back of harsh criticisms from electricity consumers who called into Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Friday. Chief Executive of CPA, Kofi Kapito, for instance demanded the dismissal of the PURC boss should the commission approve the new tariff. Meanwhile the Executive Secretary of the PURC, Stephen Adu, says the new tariffs have been set taking into consideration the interest of both consumers and the utility companies. Parliament Thursday approved the PURC amendment bill which makes the regulatory body financially independent from government subvention. The PURC will henceforth use revenues generated by utility companies to fund their activities. Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana