Refrain from illegal power connections, consumers urged

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have urged consumers not to engage in illegal power connections and pay their respective electricity bills on time as part of the effort to support the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to operate effectively and efficiently.

Speaking at a media training program on the Ghana Utility Performance Index (GUPI) and Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM), among others, the Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr. Ishmael Ackah, underscored the need for ECG to put in place fervent preparations and mechanisms to address power outrages across the country.

He thus urged ECG to scale up its operations in a bid to address pressing challenges and roll out the needed structures to adequately raise revenue to pay stakeholders in the power value chain.

According to him, ECG must be well resourced to enable it to raise its target revenue as consumers continue to pay the company in areas such as tariffs and taxes, among others.

For his part, the Commissioner of PURC, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, who doubles as the Director, Research and Policy, TUC, said the cost challenges that ECG incurs are paid by consumers through high tariffs and taxes, but he also called for sanity and transparency to prevail in the power distribution by key stakeholders.

He therefore urged consumers to refrain from illegal connections and use electricity wisely, and he explained that the gesture supports ECG in delivering on its mandate but was quick to challenge ECG to promptly make meters available upon request.

The Chairman, Research and Stakeholder Management Committee of PURC, Patrick Nyarko, advised consumers to be cautious in the usage of gadgets and ensure that the right bills are paid to ECG. He also advised consumers to engage professional electricians to work on their electrical and power connections in a transparent manner to enable ECG to collect the needed revenue for the growth and development of the country.

He commended the media for its immense reportage on electricity issues, saying their outfit is always open for information sharing on power.

Source: Ben LARYEA