The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has given customers in the Krobo area of the Eastern Region, two years to settle arrears accruing for four years (January 2018 to date).
The ECG Director for Customer Service, Mr Anokyi Abebrese, at a forum, at KroboOdumase, said the company had ‘ring fenced accumulated debts from 2012 to December 2017 for the customers, pending a decision by management.”
The forum was used to discuss how to handle the arrears and create awareness about the installation of prepaid meters in the Lower ManyaKrobo Municipality.
MrAbebresesaid the company has resumed full service delivery and revenue mobilisation, following the peaceful resolution of the impasse between residents of Kroboand ECG.
“As soon as you receive your December 2021 bill, go to the ECG office for your statement, which has details of the ring fenced amount and what you are to pay in two years,” he said.
Mr Abebrese said customers were expected to negotiate payment schedules and pay the arrears alongside that of current bills.
He said that after the distribution of the bills, ECG personnel will visit customers to find out whether they are paying their bills.
MrAbebresesaid ECG’s plans to install prepaid meters for customers in Krobo area delayed due to the impasse between ECG and Krobo residents.
He said “normally when customers have arrears, they are made to pay bulk sum, then the remaining is spread over only three months. But in the case of prepaid meters, the arrears is worked out such that each time the customer buys credit he services part of the arrears.”
MrAbrebese warned that customers, who after courtesies have been extended to them refused to pay their arrears, would have power to their locations disconnected.
Tema Regional Manager of ECG, Mr Emmanuel Akinie, said during the impasse between ECG officers and Krobo residents, they (officers) could not go to premises to check meters.
He said the officers, therefore, estimated the consumption rate of ECG customers, but from December 14, 2021, they had access to locations to obtain actual consumption.
According to MrAkinie440 meters installed in the area were found not to have been captured in the data base of the company, adding that 418 out of 421 faulty meters detected in the area had been replaced.
Manager of Public Relations, Ms Theresa Osabutey, said the ECG would educate customers on the installation of prepaid meters in the area through panel discussions, radio interviews, customer clinics and announcements.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Lower ManyaKrobo, Simon Tetteh, expressed joy that the ECG has resolved the impasse, and planned for the settlement of bills by the residents.
However, some residents pleaded for an extension of time to settle the arrears.
Misunderstanding over issues of billing led to demonstrations against the ECG by groups in the Krobo area and the non-payment of bills by customers for a couple of years.
FROM GODFRED BLAY GIBBAH, KROBO ODUMASE
