Afenyo-Markin: Fix ECG, make electricity cheaper to drive 24-hour economy

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called for comprehensive reforms at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to reduce electricity tariffs and create the conditions needed for the successful implementation of the government’s 24-hour economy programme.

The Effutu Member of Parliament said government should focus on addressing revenue leakages, illegal connections and non-payment for electricity rather than repeatedly increasing tariffs to cover inefficiencies within the power sector .Speaking to journalists after cultural troupes from Winneba visited him at his residence, Mr Afenyo-Markin said reducing the cost of electricity was critical to attracting private sector investment and making the 24-hour economy viable.

“They would have to look at the power sector critically and reform that place. Some reforms started; they should pursue them,” he said.

“Many people don’t pay for electricity they consume. There are a lot of illegal connections widespread. I think that it is one area where they have an opportunity to fix it,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin warned that continued increases in electricity tariffs would not provide a lasting solution to the challenges confronting the power sector.“Otherwise, you see, we’ll continue to say increase the tariff, increase the tariff, but that will not be the solution. The government must be bold to fix the problems,” he said.

According to him, cheaper and more reliable electricity would encourage businesses to invest and expand their operations, particularly under the 24-hour economy programme.

The Minority Leader also questioned whether the government had put in place adequate mechanisms to support the implementation of the 24-hour economy, arguing that policy announcements alone would not guarantee success.

“If you have a beautiful idea and you don’t put in the guardrails to ensure that implementation benefits the people, I’m sorry, you will fail,” he said.

Credit:Citinews