<<Print>>

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) says there is nothing it can do about the current power crisis consumers are experiencing. Director of Public Affairs and External Relations at the PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah, said the current power crisis �is not an issue of quality of service,� therefore, it is not within the remit of the PURC. �The situation at hand is about inadequate gas coming from the West Africa Gas Pipeline; the issue at stake right now is not an issue of quality of service, it is an issue where the gas is not available, and there are some challenges in the generation of electricity,� she said. But responding to calls from the general public for the PURC to make a statement on the situation at hand, Ms. Jantuah said the PURC upon its checks is convinced that the reasons given by the power providers are being truthful. �Ever since this issue started, we have done our checks, and we are convinced it is what is happening,� she stated. According to her, the PURC will ensure that within the challenges, the power providers adhere to the schedule they are going to put in place. She also advised consumers to help by conserving electricity. Ghanaians are enduring erratic power supply once again, after consumers contended with a year-long load management in 2013. Currently, there is a shortage in the supply of gas from Nigeria to power thermal plants in Takoradi to generate power and complement what is produced from the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam. Officials of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) -Producers, Transmitters and Distributors in the power sector respectively -formally announced a �temporary load management� exercise beginning Monday, March 17, due to generation challenges.