Dr. Eric Obutey, Director of Research and Corporate Affairs at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), has defended the recent hike in utility tariffs, stating that consumers are receiving value for money despite ongoing concerns over unreliable power and water services.
In an interview, Dr. Obutey acknowledged the public’s frustration with frequent blackouts and water shortages but reassured consumers that utility providers are adhering to the regulatory standards set by the Commission.
He highlighted that key benchmark, such as system losses and outage durations, have largely been met, which reflects compliance with the prescribed operational guidelines.
Despite the Commission’s assessment, many consumers have voiced their dissatisfaction, arguing that the quality of service does not justify the higher tariffs. Dr. Obutey, however, explained that equipment failures and maintenance issues are inevitable in utility operations.
He pointed out that while planned maintenance is usually communicated to the public, unexpected faults may result in service interruptions without prior notice.
Dr. Obutey reiterated that the ongoing tariff increases are necessary for sustaining the sector and improving infrastructure, urging consumers to understand that occasional disruptions are part of the natural process of maintaining and upgrading essential services.
