The Eastern Regional office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has, as of April 20, 2023, collected GH¢63.6 million out of GH¢231 million it had targeted at the just ended nationwide revenue mobilisation exercise.
The regional office further recovered an amount of GH¢23,000 out of GH¢32,000 through illegal connections and associated offences.
Addressing the media in Koforidua yesterday, the Eastern Regional Manager, Mrs. Sariel Etwire, disclosed that her outfit embarked on the massive revenue mobilisation exercise, which was focused on all categories of customers in arrears, including State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
According to her, the exercise was essentially to apprehend and prosecute customers who attempted to interfere with the exercise, and clients who had undertaken illegal self-reconnection after disconnection.
She disclosed that the region, in the course of the exercise, uncovered seven illegal connections in the Akwatia, Kade, Suhum and Koforidua districts, including an illegal connection in a pub at Suhum.
Challenges encountered
Disclosing some difficulties in the exercise, Mrs. Sariel Etwire said that an Assembly Member (name withheld) at Apinaman in the Akwatia District instigated customers in that jurisdiction against the ECG staff through the use of the area information center.
The situation was no different at Otweso, near Nkurakan, where the police were called in to intervene in a situation where some members of the community prevented the ECG officials from carrying out their duties, and as a result five people were arrested.
The Assembly Member and five other people, who obstructed the ECG officials from carrying out a legally sanctioned assignment, have been arrested and currently assisting the police in investigations.
Faulty meters
The Eastern Regional boss of the ECG also told the media that her officials identified some faulty meters, which were not issues generated by the customers, but as a result of technical limitations, adding that, she had immediately sanctioned the appropriate office for replacement to improve revenue inflows.
She was quick to also mention the capturing of all Self-Help Electrification Project (SHEP) meters to ensure every customer received their bills and pay promptly. She cautioned customers who had not yet received bills, three months after installation, to visit any of the 14 district offices for assistance.
Mrs. Sariel Etwire asked the general public to make it a duty to pay their bills in order to minimise or avert any embarrassment, since the Revenue Mobilisation exercise had come to stay, and would be used to retrieve all debts owed by customers.
She finally expressed her profound appreciation to management and staff of ECG, and most especially, the Ghana Police Service, for their immense contributions and protections leading to a smooth exercise in the region.
