New PURC office symbolises stronger consumer protection – Dr Jinapor

Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, highlighted the new head office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) as a symbol of enhanced utility regulation and consumer protection in Ghana. Commissioned in Accra, the facility is designed to bolster regulatory oversight, improve consumer services, and ensure the financial viability of utility companies, thus enabling them to provide reliable services.

Dr. Jinapor emphasized that the PURC has transformed from primarily focusing on tariff reviews over the past two and a half decades into a regulator with broader responsibilities, overseeing the electricity, water, and natural gas sectors. The Commission's mandate now extends to ensuring sustainable operations and meeting the financial and operational obligations of utility companies.

He urged the PURC to intensify enforcement, scrutinize the commercial performance of utilities, and enhance consumer services, including providing faster resolutions to complaints. Dr. Jinapor particularly stressed the importance of closely monitoring the commercial performance of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), considering it a vital component of the energy sector's financial sustainability.

He also encouraged the Commission to broaden stakeholder engagement and support industrial competitiveness, especially in alignment with the Government's 24-hour economy agenda.

Dr. Shafic Suleman, the Executive Secretary of the PURC, noted that the new head office represents a substantial investment in the future of utility regulation in Ghana, reflecting the Commission's growth. The facility features modern systems and spaces designed to accommodate the complexities of utility regulation, including conference rooms for stakeholder engagement, training facilities, laboratories for quality assurance, a real-time monitoring room, and contemporary offices aimed at improving operational efficiency.

Dr. Suleman expressed gratitude to all contributors, including the Government and stakeholders, for funding the project, which was primarily funded through improved cash flows within the utility sector. He attributed this development partly to reforms that strengthened the Cash Waterfall Mechanism.

Mr. Moses Asaga, the PURC Board Chairman, described the new facility as a testament to the Commission's growth and enduring mandate to protect consumers while ensuring the financial viability of utilities. He recalled the PURC's humble beginnings in 1997 when it operated from a colonial-era building with limited staff. Mr. Asaga emphasized the remarkable transformation of the Commission and challenged its management and staff to maintain diligence while delivering higher service standards to the people of Ghana.

He reaffirmed the Board's commitment to collaborating with the Presidency and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to strengthen regulation and foster a well-functioning utility sector.