The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has opened an office in Techiman, the capital of the Bono East Region, to ensure high-quality service delivery and protect the interests of stakeholders.
This new office, the first to be established by the Commission following the creation of the six new regions, has been operational since March 1, 2024. It becomes the eleventh regional office as part of the Commission’s efforts to decentralize its operations.
Since its opening, the office has engaged in several activities, including complaint management, public education, and outreach to raise awareness and increase visibility. Activities have included street walks, leaflet distribution, education sessions for associations and groups, and mass media campaigns.
The office has received a total of 112 complaints, ranging from overbilling, delayed service connections, power outages, water flow issues, colored water, rotten poles, faulty meters, illegal connections, and non-payment of bills against providers in the region. Out of these, 103 complaints have been satisfactorily resolved, with nine pending.
Through the efforts of the office, an amount of GHC2,710.00 has been paid as an adjustment in favor of two customers. Additionally, the office is facilitating the recovery of a substantial GHC2,954,040.00 owed to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) Techiman Area Office by some customers in the region.
During his two-day working visit to the region, the Director of Regional Operations and Consumer Services (ROCS) of the PURC, Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, emphasized the importance of bringing utility regulation closer to consumers to ensure high-quality service delivery.
The Director held meetings with utility service providers, including NEDCo and Ghana Water Limited (GWL), to officially inform them about the new office and seek their cooperation in serving the people of Bono East Region.
Speaking on Techiman-based Bonokyempem Radio, he called on the public to maintain a harmonious working relationship with the Regional Office and urged them to seek clarifications on utility issues. He encouraged consumers to report any difficulties and challenges they face in obtaining safe, adequate, reliable, reasonable, and non-discriminatory utility services to the regulator.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) was established in October 1997 under the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act, 1997 (Act 538) as a multi-sector regulator for electricity and water utility services. The Commission was part of Ghana’s utility sector reform process and, by virtue of the Energy Commission Act, 1997 (Act 541), also regulates the transportation of natural gas services. PURC operates as an independent body, not subject to control by any authority in performing its functions.