The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has described as “welcome gesture”, recent announcement of reductions in electricity tariffs across Industry and other consumer categories by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC).
The Association has commended the move and expressed optimism the reductions will “open up new prospects for businesses and inure to our competitiveness as a country.”
“This is a welcome gesture, coming on the heels of the recent stakeholder consultations. Indeed, electricity drives Industry and all forms of economic activity.” the Association said in a statement.
The high cost of electricity has often emerged as the number one difficulty facing businesses, according to the AGI business barometer reports since the last tariff review in December 2015.
Consultations on electricity tariff and calls on Government to re-consider the current tariff levels have since been a major advocacy agenda for AGI and other groups.
The statement signed by the President, Dr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi conveyed the excitement of the AGI at the attention Government has given to their concern for a tariff review taking cognizance of some of the factors which impact on energy pricing.
While awaiting details of the gazetted tariffs, AGI calls for the right billing systems to be put in place to ensure smooth implementation even as the new tariff system takes effect from the 15th of March, 2018.
AGI acknowledges the bold step taken by Government and the PURC towards the electricity tariff reductions expressing the hope to “continue the dialogue to ensure utility rates for Industry remain competitive.”
