Dr. Eric Obutey, Director of Research and Corporate Affairs at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), has defended the recent hikes in utility tariffs, asserting that consumers are still receiving value for money despite growing concerns over erratic electricity supply and inconsistent water flow in various parts of the country.
In an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Monday, April 14, Dr. Obutey acknowledged the public’s frustration over frequent blackouts and water shortages. However, he maintained that utility providers are operating within regulatory standards as set by the Commission.
“There are clear benchmarks we use to monitor utilities,” he stated. “These include system losses—both technical and commercial—as well as the duration of outages experienced by individual consumers. According to our latest evaluations, most service providers are meeting these benchmarks, which indicates that they are in compliance.”
His comments follow the latest utility tariff adjustments, which saw electricity rates rise by 14.75% and water tariffs increase by 4.02%. The review has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among consumers who argue that they are paying more for worsening services.
Dr. Obutey responded to the backlash by explaining that disruptions are often due to equipment failures—an inevitable part of operating large-scale utility systems.
“These are machines, and machines break down,” he said. “Planned maintenance schedules are usually communicated to the public in advance, ranging from two hours to two weeks. However, when unexpected faults occur, it is not always possible to give prior notice.”
Despite the assurances, public sentiment remains tense, with many demanding greater accountability and more reliable services in exchange for the increased tariffs.
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