Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

March 2012 Regu-Letter

Drinking Water Safety Plans

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Termination of Service

Procedure

PURC Drinking Water

Safety Plans

Water Treatment Basics

Common Causes of

Power Outages

Tariffs

Staff News

Devotional Corner

ICT Tips

Health Corner

Jokes Corner

EDITORIAL – INDEPENDENCE OF THE

COMMISSION

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission was

established by an Act of Parliament, the Public Utili-

ties Regulatory Commission Act 1997(Act 538).

Why was the Commission established? According to

Act 538 it was established to regulate and oversee

the provision of utility services in the country and

also ensure the development and delivery of the

highest quality of service to consumers of water and

electricity.

This same Act indicates that “The Commission shall

not be subject to the direction or control of any per-

son or authority in the performance of its functions”.

Meaning the Commission is Independent.

The question may be asked is the Commission truly

“Independent”? Is it really insulated from all the

forces and controls that are at play in the provision

and delivery of Utility Services in the country?

The Independence of the Commission is very para-

mount because as a Regulator we need to look at all

competing demands of the Consumer, the Utility

Service Provider as well as all stakeholders in the

sector.

An institution which has to play such a delicate bal-

ancing role like the PURC cannot take its Independ-

ence for granted at all. Transparency, Equity and

Fairness are the hallmarks of the Commission which

the Commission intends to adhere to without any

compromise.

The Independence of the Commission is overriding

and cannot be undermined but consultations with our

various stakeholders on the issues that confront the

Commission in the discharge of its duties are key.

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Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

The Commission is not an island neither does it

exist in a vacuum. Whatever we do in terms of

carrying out our mandate impinges on the national

good and it must be done with inputs from all inter-

ested parties.

In the process of consultation with the view to pro-

moting transparency it would be unfortunate if the

picture is painted that the Commission is not Inde-

pendent at all. We all adhere to Laws and Acts that

have been enacted by governing bodies and the Act

that set up the Commission states clearly that the

Commission is Independent and there should not be

any dispute on this matter.

In the discharge of its duties the Commission would

continue to take decisions that are in the interest of

all stakeholders and also ensure that there is equity

and fairness in everything that we do.

Our Independence would be guarded jealously

because it is from whence that we can take deci-

sions that are credible and sustainable considering

and protecting all stakeholder interests.

With God in our hearts and with our dear country

in mind it is hoped that all stakeholders would help

the Commission to uphold its Independence devoid

of fear, favor, or influence.

Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah - Editor

INTRODUCTION

Public Utilities (Termination of Service)

Regulations, 1999 (L.I. 1651).

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commis-

sion (PURC) has issued regulations which

rationalize and clearly spell out procedures

governing termination of service to con-

sumers of utility services pursuant to the

Commission’s powers under Act 538.

SUMMARY OF REGULATIONS

What are the Grounds for Termination of Service?

1. A public utility may terminate service if a consumer :

Fails to pay for bills for the service used for more than

twenty-eight days from the date of demand of payment;

Defaults on an agreed payment schedule for the service;

Defaults on an agreed payment schedule for the installation

of service;

Tampers or interferes with a meter or a public utility equip-

ment or permits any person to damage any of the utility’s

installation or equipment;

Illegally connects the service or allows the service to be

used in such a manner as to interfere with the supply to

others;

Uses a service which was legally connected in unautho-

rized manner;

Refuses to allow a public utility employee to read a meter

or check utility equipment when the public utility em-

ployee has followed the prescribed procedure for obtaining

access; or

Requests the termination himself;

2. A public utility may also terminate service it provides to a

consumer where any part of the apparatus or equipment con-

nected with supply to the premises of the consumer become de-

fective or unsafe and disconnection become necessary for main-

tenance or repairs.

TERMINATION OF SERVICE PROCEDURE

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Regu-Letter

The Regulations, known as Public

Utilities (Termination of Service)

Regulations, 1999 (L.I.1651) came

into force on March 15, 1999 after

due Parliamentary process.

2. When is Termination Prohibited?

A public utility cannot terminate the service of a consumer where:

a) The consumer has lodged a complaint with the public utility in

respect of a disputed bill and has paid or continues to pay a reason-

able amount;

b) A complaint in respect of a disputed bill or meter reading is

under investigation by the Commission and the consumer has paid,

or continues to pay, a reasonable amount; or

c) An unpaid bill is in the name of a previous occupant or owner

and the current occupant of the premises did not use the service for

which he or she has been billed.

3. Termination Notice

1. Generally, no public utility is to discontinue its service to a

consumer unless it gives the consumer a written notice of

termination of at least fourteen (14) days before the date for

termination of the service.

2. Exceptions to the above rule are:

A public utility may terminate a service without notice if the pub-

lic utility finds that the service is been obtained by the consumer

illegally or through tampered equipment, and the public utility:-

Stephen N. Adu - Executive Secretary

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Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

i) Has evidence that the condition was not inherited or that

the consumer knew, or should have known, that he or she was

not being fully billed for the service; or

ii) Has presented a written estimated bill for the service to a

person at the premises and given notice that it will continue

the service but the notice may include a requirement for an

immediate payment of 50 percent of the bill.

REGULATIONS ON TERMINATION OF SERVICE

A public utility may also terminate a service without notice

where the apparatus or equipment connected with supply to the

premises of the consumer becomes defective or unsafe and the

disconnection is necessary for maintenance or repair. A notice

to terminate a service may be printed on the bill of the con-

sumer.

4. At what times may Service be Terminated?

A public utility may terminate the service to a consumer only

between the hours of 8:00a.m and 5:00p.m from Monday to

Thursday in the week except that no termination shall be ef-

fected:

On a public holiday;

At a time when the public utility is aware or ought to be

aware that there is an issue of safety to people, animals or

property; or

During emergency situation on or related to the premises

of the consumer.

However, a public utility may terminate a service between

the hours of 8:00a.m and 5:00p.m on Fridays provided the

public utility has facilities for reconnection on Saturdays.

Special Protection for Residential Consumers

Special protection applies in the following cases:

Where there is failure to pay a bill for services provided to a

consumer and the public utility is aware that the consumer

and all adults living with him or her:-

Are of the age of 65 years or above; or

Are blind or disabled

The public utility must contact the consumer and endeavor to

agree on a payment arrangement with the consumer except that

where such an arrangement cannot be arrived at or made, the

public utility must continue to provide the service for a further

period of thirty days from the date on any scheduled disconnec-

tion.

At the end of the 30 days, the public utility must serve written

notice on the owner or occupant of the premises and wait for at

least seven days before terminating the service.

Where a doctor issues a certificate that a medical emergency

exists which will be aggravated by the lack of a utility service,

that public utility must continue to provide the service to the

consumer for 30 days from the date of any scheduled disconnec-

tion.

A doctor’s certificate as described above may be renewed for an

additional thirty (30) days if the doctor explains why the lack of

service would aggravate the medical emergency and the con-

sumer has sufficiently demonstrated his inability to pay the bill.

At the end of the first 30 days or the renewal period, the public

utility shall serve written notice on the owner or occupier of the

premises and wait for at least seven days before terminating the

service.

Special Protection for Non-Residential Consumers

1. Special protection against termination also applies where

premises are used as a hospital, health care facility, old per-

sons home, residential school or institution which provides

care for disabled persons who are dependent or mentally

retarded and there is failure to pay for the service provided.

2. The public utility is required to contact the consumer and

endeavor to agree on a payment arrangement with the con-

sumer.

If no agreement is reached on such arrangement, the public

utility must continue to provide service for 30 days from the

date of any scheduled disconnection.

At the end of the 30-day period, the public utility must serve

written notice on a principal officer of the institution who owns

or occupies the premises before terminating the service.

Introduction

Water suppliers and for that matter the GWCL and

its subsidiary Ghana Urban Water Limited

(GUWL) have a duty of care to persons utilizing

the water or service that they supply. There must

be an effective way of ensuring that water supply

is safe for human consumption and that it meets

the health based standards and other regulatory

requirements. In Ghana standards for drinking

water had been developed by the Ghana Standards

Authority based on the Guidelines for Drinking

Water Quality by the World Health Organization

(WHO).

Water Safety Plan (WSP)

An approach that takes into account the entire

supply chain of the drinking water delivery from

“catchment to tap” was further developed by the

WHO and the International Water Association

(IWA). By this approach called the Water Safety

Plan needed commitment of all stakeholders in the

management of drinking water quality from

Catchment to Tap is highlighted. The PURC took

the lead in the WSP approach in Ghana with

stakeholders such as the Ghana Water Company

Limited, Environmental Protection Agency, Water

Resources Commission (WRC) and Consumer

Associations using the Weija Water Treatment

Plant as a Pilot. The advantage of the WSP is that

it is applicable to ensuring the safety of water in

all types of water supply systems no matter their

size or complexity.

Maintaining the Quality of Drinking Water from Catchment to the

Consumer’s Tap : Nii Okai Kotei

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Weija Pilot

With the Weija Pilot Programme, the WSP was

able to identify the hazards in the catchment, at the

treatment works, in the distribution system and on

consumers’ premises. Action plan that came out of

the Weija Pilot include the following

The clean-up of the catchment to prevent fur-

ther pollution

Improved supply situation regarding chlorine

for disinfection

Active leakage control in the distribution sys-

tem

Public education programmes on water hy-

giene.

With the Weija Pilot on WSP, an Inspectors’ Man-

ual had been developed with active participation of

the Ghana Water Company Limited. The manage-

ment of GWCL initiated the development of

WSP’s for its water systems. More education on

WSP is needed at all levels of the Water Supply

chain. This includes the commitment of top man-

agement of the utility.

Way Forward

Global push for WSP via International Workshops

should be pursued. PURC, GWCL, WRC had

participated in some training workshops organized

by the IWA. The PURC will continue its lead role

like other Regulators around the world.

Regu-Letter

Most of us who are privileged to get water from

our taps when we open them never imagine the

process the water had been through from the

source which most likely is a River, lake or

perhaps even a borehole to get to the stage that

we can confidently fill our receptacles to per-

form various domestic chores like washing,

cooking bathing and drinking. Of course not all

of us are fortunate to have water flowing

through our taps but that notwithstanding, we

all depend on some vendor or someone else for

clean potable water.

Before water gets to the final consumer it had

gone through a series of processes to get it

treated to make it wholesome for human con-

sumption. The physical, chemical as well as the

bacteriological characteristics of the raw water

needs to be modified to make it suitable for

consumption. Conventional water treatment

involves four (4) basic processes, namely: floc-

culation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfec-

tion.

Water Treatment: The Basics: Kwabena Adusei

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Regu-Letter

Flocculation

Flocculation is a process which clarifies the

water. Clarifying means removing any

turbidity or colour so that the water is clear

and colourless. Clarification is done by caus-

ing a precipitate to form in the water which

can be removed using simple physical meth-

ods. This is usually achieved by using chemi-

cals to aid the process. The most commonly

used chemical is Aluminum Sulphate

(Alum). Initially the precipitate forms as very

small particles but as the water is gently

stirred, these particles stick together to form

bigger particles.

Sedimentation

Waters exiting the flocculation basin enter

the sedimentation basin. The sedimentation

basin is a large tank with slow flow, allowing

particles to settle to the bottom. The sedimen-

tation basin is best located close to the floc-

culation basin so the transit between does not

permit settlement or particle break up. Sedi-

mentation basins may be rectangular, where

water flows from end to end or circular

where flow is from the centre outward. The

amount of particles that settles out of the

water is dependent on basin retention time

and on basin depth. A deep basin will allow

more particles to settle out than a shallow

basin. This is because large particles settle

faster than smaller ones, so large particles

collide with and integrate smaller particles as

they settle. In effect, large particles sweep

vertically through the basin and clean out

smaller particles on their way to the bottom.

Filtration

After separating most particles, the water is

filtered as the final step to remove remaining

suspended particles and unsettled particles.

The most common type of filter is a rapid

gravity sand filter.

Water Cycle

Water moves vertically through sand which

often has a layer of coarse gravel below the

sand. The space between sand particles is

larger than the smallest suspended particles,

so simple filtration is not enough. Most parti-

cles pass through surface layers but are

trapped in pore spaces or adhere to sand par-

ticles. Effective filtration extends into the

depth of the filter. This property of the filter

is key to its operation: if the top layer of sand

were to block all the particles, the filter

would quickly clog.

To clean the filter, water is passed quickly

upward through the filter, opposite the nor-

mal direction (called backwashing) to remove

embedded particles. Prior to this, compressed

air may be blown up through the bottom of

the filter to break up the compacted filter

media to aid the backwashing process; this is

known as air scouring.

Disinfection

Water is disinfected to kill

any pathogens which pass through the filters

and to provide a residual dose of disinfectant

to kill or inactivate potentially harmful micro

-organisms in the storage and distribution

systems. Disinfection is accomplished both

by filtering out harmful micro-organisms and

also by adding disinfectant chemicals. Fol-

lowing the introduction of any chemical dis-

infecting agent, the water is usually held in

temporary storage – often called a contact

tank or clear well to allow the disinfecting

action to complete. Chlorine gas and sodium

hypochlorite are the most commonly used

disinfectants which are introduced into the

water as a solution. It is important to main-

tain a level of chlorine residual in the distri-

bution network to take care of possible post-

treatment contamination within the distribu-

tion network.

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Regu-Letter

Community Sensitization Prior to the Commission’s Pro-poor Water Interventions in Northern Region

A Section of Community Leaders at a Community meeting

with PURC official at Zonlemgu in the Upper East Region

PURC Officials Greeting the Elders in Zomlemgu in the Upper

East Region

Interacting with some Officials of the Ghana Water Company

Limited (GWCL)

Inspection of some Existing Assets of GWCL

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Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

A GALLERY OF SOME STAKEHOLDER INTERACTIONS

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Regu-Letter

WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS IN ANYINAM & BEGORO

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Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

DRINKING WATER SAFETY

How to Drain Your Water Storage Tanks

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Regu-Letter

COMMON CAUSES OF POWER

OUTAGES : Eric Effah-Donyina (PhD)

All electricity consumers desire nearly uninterrupted power

supply at the appropriate voltage and frequency levels. When

this does not happen, it denies consumers of various forms of

social convenience associated with the use of electricity. It

also causes financial losses on both demand and supply sides,

with extended adverse implications on socio-economic devel-

opment and security issues nationwide. Frequency and dura-

tion of power outages differ amongst the various geographi-

cal regions of the world and amongst countries within a par-

ticular region of the world. Outages may result from any of

the three main segments of the Electricity Supply Industry

(ESI), namely generation, transmission and distribution.

Outages resulting from the generation segments of the

Electricity Supply Industry

When total capacity of the set of generation equipment of an

ESI is less than total active demand on the network, or when

one or more units in the set of generation equipment with

significant share in the total generation capacity fail unex-

pectedly, the system operators would have to resort to load

shedding or power rationing for as long as it takes to bring

back the failed equipment back on-line. The process of load

shedding is usually planned, and in most cases executed

strictly according to programmes set out by the system opera-

tor. Under such circumstances, power rationing is necessary

to maintain supply at the appropriate voltage and frequency.

When this is not done it could have serious negative effects

on vital supply infrastructure such as power and energy trans-

formers with potential failures of large sections of the infra-

structure.

In ESIs with adequate generation capacity, any unexpected

and significant decline in the supply of fuels (in the case of

thermal, nuclear and biomass plants) would, in many cases

result in reduction in generation capacity. In hydro sys-

tems, significant drops in water inflow into reservoirs as a

result of below-average rainfall or some other environ-

mental malfunction would, in many cases, reduce genera-

tion capacity.

When load or demand on the system is significantly higher

than output at the generation segment it is likely to cause

imbalances in frequency of transmission. This could cause

failure of sections or the entire system.

Whenever managers of the generation segment and system

operators of the ESI have the chance to predict occurrence

of any of the above conditions they take measures to pre-

vent it, or reduce its impact on consumers. They do this by

procuring the deficit in supply from other sources, if they

are immediately available.

Outages resulting from transmission segments of the

ESI

Outages resulting from the transmission segments of an

ESI may occur if transmission lines or towers fall due to

adverse weather conditions, or when falling trees bring

down a line and when devices protecting the lines fail. Bad

environmental practices along transmission lines, includ-

ing sand winning and illegal mining around civil structures

of transmission lines are other reasons transmission sys-

tems may fail. Failure of transformers within the transmis-

sion system can also cause outages. Some major mainte-

nance or repairs may require sections of a distribution net-

work to be taken off. Protective devices of transmission

lines may also shut a line down temporarily when transient

faults occur, in order to prevent more serious faults that

could cause longer and widespread outages. Cont .... on

page 13.

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Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

Tariff Category Effective 1st March, 2012

BGC VRA - (GHp/kWh) 8.4495

GC Asogli- (GHp/kWh) 16.3885

Composite BGC- VRA & Asogli (GHp/kWh) 10.0943

Tariff Category

Effective 1st March, 2012

TSC (GHp/kWh)* 2.4842

Tariff Category

Effective March 2012 Billing Cycle

DSC (GHp/kWh) 9.7564

Tariff Category Effective March 2012 Billing Cycle

Residential 0-50 (Exclusive) (GHp/kWh) ** 51-300 (GHp/kWh) 301 – 600 (GHp/kWh) 601+ (GHp/kWh)

9.5000 17.5785

22.8135

25.3483

Non-Residential 0-300 (GHp/kWh) 301 – 600 (GHp/kWh) 601+ (GHp/kWh) Service Charge (GHp/month)

25.2712

26.8912

42.4309

275.5300

Tariff Category Effective March 2012 Billing Cycle

SLT-LV Max. Demand (GHp/kVA/month) Energy Charge (GHp / kWh) Service Charge (GHp / month)

1542.9400 26.3402

1102.2100

SLT-MV Max. Demand (GHp/kVA/month) Energy Charge (GHp / kWh) Service Charge (GHp / month)

1322.5200 20.3889

1542.9400 SLT-HV

Max. Demand (GHp/kVA/month) Energy Charge (GHp / kWh) Service Charge (GHp / month)

1322.5200 18.7357

1542.9400 SLT-HV MINES

Max. Demand (GHp/kVA/month) Energy Charge (GHp / kWh) Service Charge (GHp / month)

1542.9400 29.7567

1542.9400

SECOND SCHEDULE

FOUR SCHEDULE

THIRD SCHEDULE

FIRST SCHEDULE

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Regu-Letter

DEFINITIONS

BGC Bulk Generation Charge GC Generation Charge

TSC Transmission Service Charge

DSC Distribution Service Charge

SLT-LV Special Load Tariff – Low Voltage

SLT-MV Special Load Tariff – Medium Voltage

SLT – HV Special Load Tariff – High Voltage

kWh Kilowatt-Hour

kVA Kilovolt Ampere

AAF Automatic Adjustment Formula

PURC-APPROVED GWCL/GUWL WATER TARIFF

Category of Service Monthly Consumption (1000 Litres)

Approved Rates in GHp/ 1000 Litres Effective 1st March 2012 Billing Cycle

Metered Domestic 0-20

21 and above

Commercial/Industrial Flat Rate Public Institutions /Govt. Departments Flat Rate

85.2600

127.8100

181.6800

163.9600

Unmetered Premises-Flat rate per house per month Premises without connection (Public stand pipes) per 1000 litres

554.9300

84.2900

Special Commercial per 1000 litres

516.6400

NOTE:

Special Commercial refers to bulk customers who use GWCL treated water as the main raw material for bottling water for resale.

* The TSC of GHp 2.4842/KWh includes a regulatory levy of GHp 0.2179/ KWh of electricity transmitted which is payable to the

Public Utilities Regulatory Commission.

** Residential consumption between 0 to 50 units per month will attract a service charge of GHp 100.000.

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Regu-Letter

Outages resulting from distribution segments of an

Electricity Supply Industries (ESI)

Causes of power outages in this component of the ESI are

many, and include the following:

Adverse weather conditions such as thunder strikes,

could overcome devices protecting vital equipment,

such as sub-stations, if those devices have themselves

weakened at the time of the incident and this condition

had not been detected by the sub-station attendants for

replacement

Some major maintenance or repairs may require sec-

tions of a distribution network to be taken off

Sub-transmission lines going through hostile terrains

may be susceptible to falling trees, vegetative under-

growth, wild fires and bad environmental practices

such as sand winning and illegal mining activities.

Obsolete and or overloaded distribution feeders and

transformers.

Faults in consumer equipment or premises feeding back

into distribution feeders.

Illegal connections by consumers; as such connections

usually do not conform to load monitoring and balanc-

ing on line phases, as planned by distribution engi-

neers.

Tampering with electricity distribution equipment by

unauthorized members of communities, e.g. re-fusing

of blown distribution transformer fuses by self-styled

electricians, stealing of transformer oil and conductors

by village communities.

It is worth noting that non-payment of undisputed elec-

tricity bills and illegal connections, including meter by-

passing will invariably result in disconnection, which

also constitute power cut; and many refuse to see it as

such.

What are the electric utilities and PURC doing to re-

duce power outages to acceptable levels?

Much as power outages cause various forms of losses and

social inconvenience to end users, they also cause signifi-

cant financial loss to the relevant utilities. In this regard,

utilities would do whatever it takes to prevent an outage,

as this effort would serve not only the consumers’ interest,

but that of the utilities as well.

The PURC, having the mandate to regulate the economic

activities as well as monitor standards of performance of

public electric utilities, has, since its establishment, been

monitoring the state and adequacy of capital equipment of

the regulated electric utilities, vital for the provision of

quality services to consumers. Through this process, the

Commission has, over the years, observed the procurement

and installation, as well as plans for the procurement of

facilities by all four public electric utilities, VRA, ECG,

NEDCo and GRIDCo, aimed at improving quality of elec-

tricity supply in the country.

These capital investments have yielded some modest im-

provements in hours lost to consumers due to outages;

voltage of electricity supply has seen significant improve-

ments in many communities over the last few years, while

the future looks brighter in respect of outages as a result of

these investments. This is not to say however, that all is

well with the utilities. The Commission’s records on out-

ages within the entire Ghanaian ESI show that between the

1st Quarter of 2010 and the 4th Quarter of 2011 both system

losses and customer lost hours due to outages in both ur-

ban and rural areas experienced significant fluctuations.

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Regu-Letter

As part of its mandate and responsibility to protect consumers

and providers of utility services the Commission is in the

process of intensifying monitoring of the capital assets rele-

vant to the provision of quality utility services, as well as the

general operations of the utilities, with the aim of reducing

power outages to the barest minimum in the country.

As a complement to efforts by the regulated electric utilities

and the Commission towards improving quality of electricity

supply in Ghana, consumers are being urged to contribute

their quota by desisting from unpatriotic acts and omissions

with the potential to erode gains made by the Commission and

the electric utilities. These acts and omissions may include

tampering with and or stealing of electricity supply or distri-

bution equipment such as transformers, fuses, conductors, and

energy meters. Others may include illegal connections, illegal

self-reconnections after a customer has been disconnected for

non-payment of undisputed electricity bills and meter by-

passing etc. These activities on the part of consumers contrib-

ute to weakening the financial health of public utilities, reduc-

ing further their ability to procure vital equipment necessary

for improved quality of electricity supply. In other words,

these anti-social activities amount to consumers turning the

lights off by remote control.

Finally, consumers are advised to consciously conserve en-

ergy, as energy conservation is considered by many experts as

probably one of the most effective means of ensuring energy

supply security. The general public, especially communities

living or working along transmission lines are also advised to

desist from bad environmental practices that could affect

safety of transmission lines.

COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY AS A

PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTIONER:

Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah

The starting point for being an outstanding Public Rela-

tions communicator is recognizing that you deliver com-

munications not just through your words, signs or ges-

tures, nor do you deliver just through your body lan-

guage you should also communicate through the way

you think.

You might know people who can easily comment on

other people’s problems but are blind to their own short-

comings. The ability to understand yourself, your own

emotions and know how your mind works is known as

interpersonal skill.

Having a self awareness and understanding of yourself

makes it possible subsequently to develop fully your

interpersonal skills. Your Interpersonal skills is essen-

tially how you can manage your own thinking-the ability

to understand how your thinking works and ultimately

master the voice in your head.

Everybody has an inner voice that creates an internal

dialogue, a self talk, which shapes and progresses their

thinking and communications. This self talk lies at the

heart of your subsequent communications.

If you are unclear, in your mind about how you feel and

understand about an issue, the probability is that your

subsequent communication will reflect this uncertainty

or fail to convince.

The starting point for your journey in understanding and

becoming an outstanding Public Relations communicator

is to examine what shapes your thinking and how it is

manifested in your communications.

Page 15

Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

Preamble

The Internal Audit Department heartily wel-

comes the publication of the Reguletter and

sees it as a channel to communicate to staff

about internal audit functions and activities

which are aimed at providing an independent,

objective assurance and consulting activity

aimed at adding value and improving on the

Commission’s ability to achieve its objec-

tives.

The Internal Audit Department in its search

of a maiden topic to publish in this edition,

has chosen to educate and remind staff about

the internal controls measures put in place by

Management in the use and management of

its fleet of official vehicles. The Commission

has had to incur increasing costs under run-

ning cost of vehicles and purchase of fuel

over the years which need to be curtailed.

The following controls are therefore meant to

ensure Economy, Efficiency and Effective-

ness in the use of official vehicles which will

eventually impact on the Commissions ability

to accomplish its mandate.

CONTROLS

Commission vehicles are to be driven by

authorized persons only. Authorized per-

sons refer to a Driver of the Commission,

Senior Managers and any staff who has

the approval of the Executive Secretary or

Director, Finance & Administration to

drive in a particular circumstance or time.

Commission vehicles in the Regional

Offices shall be driven by only the Driv-

ers in the Regions. Regional Managers

will need the approval of the Executive

Secretary or Director, Finance & Admini-

stration to drive the official vehicles.

INTERNAL CONTROL FOR USE OF COMMISSION VEHICLES : Emmanuel Nii Noi Dowuona

Regional Managers are mandated to send

monthly copies of the original of their

vehicle log books to Accra for verifica-

tion by the Internal Audit Department.

Significant variances in distance covered

and fuel used will have to be justified by

Regional Managers.

Private use of official vehicles (Accra and

Regional Offices) shall be applied for and

approved by the Executive Secretary or

his designated management staff. Staffs

are reminded that the request for private

use of official vehicle is based on unfore-

seen circumstances directly affecting staff

and terms and conditions apply.

Conditions governing the use of the Shell

prepaid cards for fuel and lubricants

should be rigorously followed and all fuel

receipts should be well kept and ac-

counted for. Fuel bought by cash (special

programmes and regional monitoring

exercises) should be equally entered in

log books and receipts kept for verifica-

tion.

Any authorized person driving the Com-

mission’s vehicles should have the appli-

cable valid driver’s license. This will be

verified periodically by the Transport

Officer and occasionally by the Internal

Audit Department.

It shall be the duty of authorized person

driving the Commission’s vehicles to

conduct safety inspection measures by

checking fluids, oil, light, tyre pressure,

wipers etc before moving the vehicle.

Authorized persons driving the Commis-

sion’s vehicle will be held liable for any

damage resulting from an accident if it is

proven that he/she was at fault. Costs aris-

ing from a breach / arrest for traffic of-

fenses shall be borne by the defaulting

driver.

Unauthorized persons are not allowed to

ride in the Commission’s vehicles as the

Commission’s insurance policy does not

cover such persons.

All journeys must be recorded and signed

by the person using the vehicle into the

vehicle log book. Journeys must be ap-

proved by a designated Superior Officer.

Unapproved journeys undertaken may be

surcharged to the offending person(s).

Recording of journeys include mileage/

kilometer reading on their odometers, start

and end time for journeys, description of

locations and fuel /lubricants purchased.

Conclusion

The Internal Audit Department which is the

custodian of controls will continue to monitor

the effective and efficient use of the Commis-

sion’s vehicle and ensure judicious use of

resources in the operation and running of

official vehicles to ensure value for money

and the attainment of corporate goals.

The cooperation of all staff in strictly adher-

ing to these controls will ensure that the

Commission will be in good stead to accom-

plish its mandatory functions and be a flag-

ship regulator in the industry.

In a bid to strengthen its capacity building the Commission recruited a number of staff. Notable among these were two new Regional Offices

opened in the Volta Region (Ho) and Eastern Region (Koforidua). The members of staff manning these Regional Offices are:

Mr Philip Agbezudor - Regional Manager, Ho

Mr. Jude Aduamoah-Addo - Regional Manager, Koforidua

These recruitments were also made to boost capacity in the underlisted Directorates/Department.

Finance and Administration

Mr. Anto Kwadwo Odehyee - Procurement Officer

PR & External Affairs

Mrs. Deborah Bonney - Public Relations Officer

Mr. Robert Tia Abdulai Aziz - PR & External Affairs Officer

Internal Audit

Mr. Gerald Kwame Ofosu Amoah - Internal Audit Officer

Staff News

CONGRATULATIONS

Mr. Emmanuel N. W. Fiati, Director – Energy was awarded an Associate Membership of the

Chartered Institute of Bankers.

Mr. Frederick Amui Oblitey, Technical Manager – Electrical Energy was awarded LLB and

Professional Certificate in Law (BL) and called to the Ghana Bar Association.

Mr. Kwasi Anokye Gyimah, Manager – Legal has been awarded post-graduate certificate on

Proficiency in Legislative Drafting.

Page 16

Regu-Letter

As part of PURC capacity building for staff, a number of training programmes were provided for staff.

Customer Management Training Session

Information Systems (IS) Audit Training

Inventory Management

Road Safety Intervention and Driver

Introduction to Computers

Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663)

Records Management – Organising and Maintaining Company Records and Filing Systems Effectively

Performance Management

Introduction to Human Resources Management

Professional Certificate in Office 2010

Introduction to Customer Service Management

Legislative Drafting

CAREER ADVANCEMENT

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTMENT

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Some members of staff meet on Friday morning before work starts to pray for the Commission.

Once a quarter, a spiritual retreat is also organised for members of staff who avail themselves to seek the face of

God. Prayers are said not only for the Commission but our families and our personal needs.

The attendance has been very encouraging and staff who have not been attending are encouraged to attend the next retreat scheduled for

June, 2012 at the Conference Room.

Every other Word will pass away but the word of God which is Jesus Christ never fails.

Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

ADDITIONS TO THE PURC FAMILY

We have been privileged by the grace of God to welcome two (2) new members

into the PURC family.

A baby boy born to Mr. Godfred Odoom, Assistant Manager, Finance De-

partment, Head Office, Accra.

A baby boy born to Ms. Evelyn Ntiakoh, Officer with the Administrative Department, Head Office, Accra

Page 17

List of members of staff who lost parents and love one from half year to date

Ms. Judith Frimpong, Administrative Assistant, Head Office, Accra, father. Mr. Raymond Frimpong.

Mr. N. O. Kotei, Director- Water, Head Office, Accra, father, Mr. Amon Kotei.

Ms. Gifty Bruce-Nelson, Senior Officer – Consumer Services, Head Office, Accra, mother,

Madam Lydia Mensah.

Mr. Patrick Kavi, Senior Administrative Assistant Head Office, Accra wife Ms. Mary

Quartey.

Mrs. Felicia Amissah, Administrative Officer, Head Office, Accra, father Mr. David Kwame

Onyinah,

BEREAVEMENTS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Ms Millicent R Mensah - 7th May

Mr. Gerald Kwame Ofosu Amoah - 10th May

Mr. Kwabena Adusei - 11 May

Mr. Emmanuel Konney Annang - 20th May

Mr. Godfred K. Odoom - 1st June Mr. Stephen Addai - 5th June

Mr. Nii Okai Kotei - 8th June

Mr. Kwasi Anokye Gyimah - 12th June Ms. Lydia Arhin - 13th June Mr. Ben Kwame Appiah - 16th June

Ms Gifty Bruce-Nelson - 21st June

We pray for God’s plan and purpose to be fulfilled in their lives

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

Page 18

Regu-Letter

Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

DEVOTIONAL CORNER—Mrs Wilhelmina Obed

'Every Thought You Think Creates And So Is Every Word You Utter'

Proverbs 23:7 says, “as a man thinks in his heart so is he”. Mark

11:23 also says “if you should say to this mountain be removed

and be cast into the sea and you do not doubt but believe that

what you said would happen, you will have whatever you say”.

The life we lead is created by our thoughts and the words we ut-

ter. If we would like to improve our lives in 2012, we will have

to improve our thoughts and words.

Right thinking with the right words we say to ourselves. We are the products of our own

lives and unwittingly create pain and suffering for ourselves due to the unconscious thoughts

and words we focus on.

Every thought you think creates that very reality for you. If you see yourself as lacking and

poor then you will be lacking and poor. If your thinking is going after and gaining wealth

then wealth is what you will obtain. It's simple to manifest in your life whatever you desire

this is what Jesus was talking about in Mark 11:23.

Visualize yourself as if you already ARE where God wants you to be or the state of well being

you desire to be in. I mean get in your head and see it, feel it, hear it and taste it. What

emotions does it bring up? Feel them!

Page 19

What you think and do draws more of the same to you. Change your attitude and behav-

iour to what you want drawn into your life.

Taking care of yourself and eating properly is the lifestyle of a healthy active person.

Healthy active people think of themselves as healthy and active. Begin a healthier lifestyle.

Remember, you are what you eat. So eat healthy foods.

Be that - Wealthy people think of themselves as wealthy and having it all. They are moti-

vated to go after the big bucks and have a leisurely lifestyle. You will have it too if you keep

focused on what you desire.

Take every negative thought and speech and immediately change them into positive ones.

There is good and beauty in all things. Just look for it, it's there I promise you.

What you see and what you think draws more of the same to you. If you're saying to your-

self "that I'm never going to", then you never will. So see beauty in all things and watch

what happens!

In 2012, instead of moaning and complaining for what you don’t have, just be grateful to

God for what you do have. Remember where you were a year ago, and where He has

placed you now. God deserves our praise. See yourself prosper and you will have it. Be

open to receiving it and having it because if you don't really think you should have it or feel

you're not worthy to receive it, what you do have shall also vanish.

God is not limited by space or time. Keep thinking and seeing yourself as obtaining what-

ever it is God has purposed and planned for your life and you will become and obtain that

which you wish. Shalom!

Page 20

Regu-Letter

Page 21

Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

How to Protect Your Computer: Kelvin Kwao

Use antivirus software.

No one should be without antivirus software on their computer and be sure to configure

your anti-virus software to update and scan daily. Antivirus software is designed to pre-

vent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer.

Never turn off your firewall.

A firewall puts a protective barrier between your computer and the Internet. Turning it

off for even a minute increases the risk that your PC will be infected with malware. A

firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash

it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information.

Be Careful What You Download.

Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-

virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don't know, and be

wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly

advanced malicious code.

Keep Your Operating System Updated with Critical Patches

Make sure that you download and install critical updates. Microsoft periodically issues

patches to Windows to make the operating system more reliable or secure. Windows has

a built-in facility called Windows Update that downloads and installs critical and security

patches to keep your system safe from attackers.

Limit the Use of Administrator Level Accounts

If you are using an Administrator account on your machine to log on, you should create

a new account that is not a member of the Administrators group and use it for normal

tasks. Use the Administrator account only when necessary.

Update your computer

Stop using computers with insecure operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 95,

Windows 98, and Windows ME. These versions of Microsoft Windows are now so old

and outdated, they cannot be considered secure.

ICT TIPS

Page 22

Regu-Letter

Diabetes: Facts You Need to Know By Kwabena Adusei

HEALTH CORNER

Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a disease in

which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does

not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the

insulin that is produced. In order to understand diabetes we need to

know what role sugar (glucose) plays in the body’s metabolism.

Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose. Glucose is a

form of sugar in the blood - it is the principal source of fuel for our

bodies.

When our food is digested the glucose makes its way into our blood-

stream. Our cells use the glucose for energy and growth. However,

glucose cannot enter our cells without insulin being present - insulin

makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. After eating,

the pancreas automatically releases an adequate quantity of insulin to

move the glucose present in our blood into the cells, and lowers the

blood sugar level.

A person with diabetes has a condition in which the quantity of glu-

cose in the blood is too elevated (hyperglycemia). This is because the

body does not produce enough insulin, produces no insulin, or has

cells that do not respond properly to the insulin the pancreas pro-

duces. This results in too much glucose building up in the blood.

This excess blood glucose eventually passes out of the body in urine.

So, even though the blood has plenty of glucose, the cells are not

getting it for their essential energy and growth requirements.

Types of Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes, namely

Type I also called Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. In this type

of diabetes, the alpha cells of the pancreas do not produce any insulin

at all and the patient needs to have regular doses of insulin to control

blood glucose levels.

Type II Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. With type II, the

body produces some insulin, but the quantity is not sufficient to con-

trol blood glucose levels. Medication and diet can sometimes control

type II without the use of insulin injections.

Gestational diabetes that usually occurs temporary in some women

during pregnancy. It is a condition in which women without previ-

ously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood glucose levels dur-

ing pregnancy . The condition is natural during pregnancy. Gesta-

tional diabetes is caused when the body of a pregnant woman does

not secrete enough insulin required during pregnancy, leading to

increased blood sugar levels.

Symptoms

Symptoms associated with type II diabetes are:

Excessive Thirst

Dry Mouth

Frequent Urination

Sudden Loss of Weight

Nausea

Vomiting

Fatigue

Management

All types of diabetes are treatable, but Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

last a lifetime; there is no known cure. The patient receives regular

insulin, which became medically available in 1921. The treatment

for a patient with Type 1 is mainly injected insulin, plus some die-

tary and exercise adherence.

Patients with Type 2 are usually treated with tablets, exercise and a

special diet, but sometimes insulin injections are also required.

If diabetes is not adequately controlled the patient has a signifi-

cantly higher risk of developing complications, such as hypoglyce-

mia (low blood glucose), ketoacidosis, and coma. Longer term com-

plications could be cardiovascular disease, retinal damage, chronic

kidney failure, nerve damage, poor healing of wounds, gangrene on

the feet which may lead to amputation, and erectile dysfunction.

Three engineering students

were gathered together

discussing the possible de-

signers of the human body.

One said, "It was a mechani-

cal engineer. Just look at all

the joints."

Another said, "No, it was an

electrical engineer. The

nervous system has many

thousands of electrical con-

nections."

The last said, "Actually, it

was a civil engineer. Who

else would run a toxic waste

pipeline through a recrea-

tional area?"

God, you have been drink-

ing”

The priest quickly retorted;

“Only water”

The officer asked; “why do

I then smell wine?

The priest looks down at

A priest was driving to his

residence from a party. At a

check-point he was stopped

by an officer for speeding.

The officer smelled alcohol

on his breath and noticed a

wine bottle on the floor of

his car so he said “Man of

the wine bottle and ex-

claimed; OH DEAR ME, THE

GOOD LORD HAS DONE IT

AGAIN!. Just like the days

of old, he turned water into

wine!

Who Designed The Human Body?

He is a Miracle Working God……….

‘The Value is the Shame’

door a few minutes before

kick-off he found the man

up on a ladder trying to

slot his pre-paid card into

the meter. He asked;

‘’Neighbour, no power’’?

‘’No power! my brother, I

have been struggling since

morning to reload the

credit I bought yesterday

but to no avail”

The frustrated football

fan: “You pay, you can’t

use,,I use, I can’t pay so

what is the difference?

“Hmmnn THE VALUE IS

THE SHAME” said the

neighbour.

A man who was disconnected

for non-payment of elec-

tricity bills six hours prior

to a live telecast of a foot-

ball match made up his mind

to watch the game with his

neighbor who had a pre-paid

meter.

On reaching his neighbour’s

Page 23

Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

JOKES CORNER

By Yours Truly, F.N.D III

“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting

sentence or quote from the story here.”

Five (5) politicians travelling

in the heat of the campaign

period had an accident and

by the time police officers

got to the scene of the ac-

cident, an old man had al-

ready buried them.

POLICE: Opanyin, are you

sure they are dead?

OLD MAN: Officer, some

were saying they were not

dead but you know these

politicians and their gargan-

tuan lies. Since I wouldn’t

like DEATH to be part of

their UNFULFILLED CAM-

PAIGN MANIFESTOS, I

had to bury them all!

lights out.

5 minutes later…..,

Boy: Da-aaaad!!!

Father: “Whattt???”

Am thirsty, can you give me

a glass of water?

Father: I told you NO! If

you ask again I will spank

A small boy was put to bed

by his father.

5 minutes later…..,

Boy: “Daaaaaadd!

Father: “what”?

Boy: “Can I get a glass of

water?

Dad: You had your turn at

you.

5 minutes later……..

Boy: Daa-aad! If you are

coming to spank me, can you

bring me a glass of water?

Campaign Manifestos

This is Persistence

True Love

SIM card, there is no me

without you!

Girl: Aawwwww!!! That’s so

so romantic!

Boy then says to himself,

[See this mumu of a fool,

what if I am a Chinese Mo-

bile Phone with three (3)

SIMS?]

A lady asked her boyfriend;

“how deeply do you love

me”?

Boy: I love you so much that

I cant measure…..

Girl: “No! Just tell me…….”

Boy: Okayyyyyy!! Am like a

cellphone and you are my

Page 24

Regu-Letter

“Wisdom is always a

sharper weapon than

brut strength”

HEAD OFFICE

No. 51 Liberation Road, Ridge, Accra

P.O. Box CT 3095

Cantonments

Tel: (233-302) 244181-3

Fax: (233-302) 244188

Email: info@purcghana.com

Website: www.purc.com.gh

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is an independent body

established by under the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act 1997

(Act 538), to regulate and oversee the provision of utility services in the coun-

try. PURC is committed to ensuring the development and delivery of the high-

est quality of utility services to consumers and aims to achieve efficiency, reli-

ability and equity in the provision of these services.

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY COMMISSION

KUMASI

Cocobod Jubilee House

P.O. Box 1001, U.S.T. Kumasi

Kumasi Tel: (233-51) 37510

TAKORADI

1st Floor Ajumakoman Press

Sekondi Road, News Site

P.O. Box AX 1985

Takoradi

Tel: (233-31) 24010, 25261

TAMALE

2nd Floor, Ernest Chemist Building

Opposite Tamale Girls International

P.O. Box TL 1870

Tamale

Tel. (233-71) 26380

KOFORIDUA

1st Floor, Ofosuaa House

P. O. Box KF 2781

Koforidua - E/R

Tel: (233-3420) 28770

Fax: (233-3420)20771

HO

1st Floor, God is Great Building

P. O. Box HP 1373

Ho - V/R

Tel: (233-3620)28607

Fax:(233-3620)28608