The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is set to convene a major stakeholder engagement with the Ministry of Roads and Highways and road contractors over the destruction of water and electricity infrastructure during road construction.
The move follows complaints from residents in areas where road works are ongoing under government’s Big Push infrastructure programme, of water cuts and power outages after underground pipelines and distribution lines are damaged.
Speaking during a working visit to the Western Region on August 26, the Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr. Shafic Suleman, said the Commission has taken serious notice of the trend and is moving to enforce better coordination among all players.
According to him, the core of the problem is that contractors are often working without accurate maps showing the location of major utility installations.
“There are major pipelines, transmission and distribution lines. It is important that we make them available to the contractors so that they will be guided. It is the responsibility of the contractors to make sure that they don’t destroy that major infrastructure,” Dr. Suleman said.
He disclosed that the proposed engagement will bring together the Ministry of Roads and Highways, road contractors, and utility service providers including the Ghana Water Company Limited, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).
The aim, he explained, is to ensure that detailed utility maps are made available to contractors before construction begins, and that standard operating procedures are followed to protect existing infrastructure.
Dr. Suleman warned that where damage still occurs, the PURC will ensure immediate restoration of service to affected consumers, but the full cost of restoration will be surcharged to the contractor responsible.
He said the disruptions are not just an inconvenience but affect livelihoods, with hospitals, schools and small businesses often forced to shut down for days due to prolonged cuts.
The PURC boss urged consumers to report any interference in their water or electricity supply linked to road construction activities.
“If anywhere you think there is an interference as a result of construction affecting your quality of service, you can complain to the PURC and we will take it up,” he assured.
The Commission says it has already received a number of complaints from affected communities and has formally written to the Ministry of Roads and Highways. The upcoming stakeholder meeting is expected to shift its approach from reactive complaint resolution to proactive protection of utility assets and consumer rights.
By Ewurama Smith
