By Gloria Edinam Afful
The Eastern Regional Office of the Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG, recovered 63.6 million Ghana cedis out of the targeted amount of 231 million Ghana cedis at the just-ended nationwide revenue mobilisation exercise.
The Regional General Manager of ECG, Ing. Mrs. Sariel Etwire, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Koforidua, hinted that the revenue mobilisation exercise has come to stay and will be used to retrieve all debts owed by customers.
The five-week exercise took place in 14 operational Districts of the company, namely Koforidua, Oda, Tafo, Asamankese, Begoro, Kibi, Nkawkaw and New Abirem.
The rest are Mpraeso, Kade, Akwatia, Suhum and Donkorkrom. Ing. Mrs. Sariel Etwire lauded the efforts of staff and commended the public for supporting the exercise by coming out in their numbers to pay their bills when approached.
She noted that the company uncovered seven illegal connections in Akwatia, Kade, Suhum and Koforidua districts of which an amount of 23 thousand cedis was recovered out of 38 thousand Ghana cedis.
“The team has so far recovered 32 thousand units from five of our customers. The corresponding amount of money is 38 thousand Ghana cedis out of which 23,000 Ghana cedis has been paid”.
On meters, Ing. Mrs. Etwire said the company has identified some faulty meters and has commenced their replacement to improve revenue inflows. She noted that ECG is also intensifying the capturing of all Self-Help Electrification Project (SHEP) meters to ensure that customers receive their bills and pay on time.
She urged customers who have not received their bills after three months of installation, to visit any of the 14 District offices for prompt action. Ing. Mrs Etwire said the company’s Revenue Protection Team is currently carrying out a field visibility exercise to check the metering status of customers as well as illegal connections and self-reconnections.
She also urged customers to desist from illegal connections, which negatively affect the company’s operations.
“We appeal to our cherished customers to desist from illegal activities which have negative effects on our operations”.
Answering questions from the media, Ing. Mrs. Etwire explained that network services are provided by the telecommunications networks and assured that the company is working with the telecommunications networks to improve on their network.
“Network is a support from our telecommunications companies. I must say they have been very supportive but as with heavy Infrastructure once a while there are challenges. So we will work together with the telecommunications networks to improve on network issues”.
The Regional General Manager assured the public that ECG will continue to work hard to ensure that customers enjoy stable electricity and get value for money.
