Business operators have warned consumers would have to pay more for goods and services they purchase in the coming weeks if the proposal by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) to increase utility prices is upheld.
The PURC has embarked on a nationwide consultative forum aimed at engaging consumers on the need to increase the prices of utility. According to the commission, the increase in prices will afford the utility providers meet their operational costs to facilitate their production levels.
But speaking to Citi Business News, president of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Seth Adjei Baah maintained business owners will have no option than to pass on the increases to consumers.
“Businessmen always pass on to consumers, that is the effect because if I can produce at a cost of ‘A’, I cannot sell at a cost of ‘A’ minus 1; I have to look at that cost and put my margin on it so at the end of it, it is the consumer that is going to suffer,” he said.
Mr. Adjei Baah added, “We are now praying and preaching for Ghanaians to purchase made in Ghana goods, if we are producing here at a higher cost, it gives people the chance to import from China at a lower cost to fight our locally produced goods. So the essence of producing made in Ghana goods will be negative.”
The various utility providers have also proposed a 100 percent increase in prices while assuring customers of improved service delivery.
The ECG is seeking that prices per unit of power is increased from 16 to 35 pesewas; the Volta River Authority (VRA) is seeking an increase from 15 to 30 pesewas per unit. The Ghana Water Company (GWCL) is advocating an increase in price per meter-cube of water from 1.70 pesewas to 4 cedis.
Source: citifmonline
