Appiah Kusi Adomako, the West African Director of CUTS International, has objected to a proposed bill to merge the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Energy Commission.
The bill when passed will streamline the functions of these regulatory bodies and is expected to be presented to Parliament soon.
However, in an interview with Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, July 22, Kusi Adomako emphasized that keeping PURC and the Energy Commission separate is vital for maintaining their regulatory effectiveness and independence.
“I think there is a good reason for the two agencies to be separated. PURC is an economic regulator of energy and water whereas Energy Commission is a technical regulator. When you merge them what might happen is that you set a regulatory capture by the minister.
“As of now, PURC reports directly to the president, and merging the two will fall under the energy ministry’s purview, which will also take away the independence of PURC.
“I have not seen the Act and how it is structured but I think that is not something they should do,” he stated.
