Africa-Press – Ghana. Odumase-Krobo (E/R), Feb. 16- The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced plans to install pre-paid meters for its customers in the Krobo District, covering seven political areas.
The ECG management announced this during its first stakeholder meeting on the installation of prepaid meters held at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Zimmerman Congregation at Odumase-Krobo.
Mr Anokye Abrebese, Director for Customer Services, ECG, said the replacement of the meters was free, adding, however, that the new services and additional metres during the period would attract a fee.
He explained that the bills that had been generated through the metre reading exercise carried out in the past weeks would not be put onto the pre-paid as mostly done when credit metres were replaced.
He said ECG had decided to spread the payment of the existing bills, which had accumulated from 2018 to date, through a two-year grace period for customers.
Mr Anokye added that customers would still be required to pay their bills alongside the debt while awaiting their turn for the pre-paid installation.
Touching on the bills generated, he said customers after receiving their bills should visit its offices for the statement to get the details of their consumptions.
The ECG Director of Customer Services said customers with concerns could visit its Somanya office and Nuaso Cashpoint for reconciliation and not cancellations.
He said it was their hope that customers would voluntarily pay their bills when revenue collectors come around for collection.
He however stated that customers who refuse to pay their bills after all the given opportunities would have their services terminated.
Mr Emmanuel Akinie, Tema Regional ECG General Manager, on his part, said under the ECG regulations, category A and urban cities must use pre-paid meters, adding that the Krobo District is classified under category A.
Mr Akinie said the installation of the meters, which was supposed to commence in 2021, was postponed due to the impasse that ensued in November and December on Krobo land.
Touching on other issues, he said the revenue protection team of the ECG during the recent meter reading exercise visited 5,776 meters out of which 25 illegalities were uncovered.
He said out of the 25 uncovered, 17 reported to their offices and had been billed a total of GHC39,900.00 out of which GHC29,000.00 had been paid.
He added that 414 meters were uncovered as not captured, this he noted, were being screened to see if they were genuine Self Help Electrification Project (SHEP) meters, after which they will go through the process to be billed.
Mrs Theresa Osabutey, Acting Head of Communication at ECG, announced that the Company had drawn up a strategic campaign to ensure the needed public and community engagements were carried out before the pre-paid meters are installed.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
