The Electrical energy Firm of Ghana (ECG) has referred to as for stronger regulatory measures to curb the importation of unauthorised electrical energy meters and clamp down on unlawful connections, which proceed to erode the company’s income and operational effectivity.
The decision was made by Mr George Amoah, Normal Supervisor of ECG Ashanti West, throughout a go to by the Govt Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Fee (PURC), Dr Shafic Suleman, to the area yesterday.
Mr Amoah famous that the present Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2413) lacks the required punitive energy and doesn’t explicitly grant ECG unique rights to import electrical energy meters.
“This regulatory hole has allowed people to import and distribute pretend meters, rising our losses. We enchantment to the PURC to work with the Vitality Fee to strengthen the legislation, punish clients who set up such meters, and criminalise unlawful connections,” he careworn.
Dr Suleman, who was on a regional tour to familiarise himself with PURC’s operations and have interaction stakeholders, acknowledged the concerns and warranted ECG of the Fee’s readiness to help such reforms.
He counseled ECG for its improved income collection efficiency within the first quarter of 2025, noting that the corporate has persistently collected practically GH¢ 1.4 billion month-to-month for the reason that begin of the 12 months.
“This can be a step in the appropriate course and essential to protecting the lights on,” Dr Suleman acknowledged, including that as Chairman of the Money Waterfall Mechanism (CWM), he was in talks with the Vitality Minister to reinforce ECG’s standing throughout the mechanism to make sure constant money circulate.
The Govt Secretary emphasised the significance of collaboration between utilities and the Fee and introduced plans to create a WhatsApp platform for improved communication amongst stakeholders — including utilities, customers, regional authorities, and safety companies.
Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, PURC’s Director of Regional Operations and Shopper Companies, additionally urged ECG employees to stay affected person {and professional} of their dealings with clients, whereas encouraging customers to satisfy their cost obligations.
Dr Suleman was accompanied by a group from PURC, together with Alhaji Abukari, Dr Eric Kofi Obutey, Dr Robert Tia Abdulai Aziz, Mr Reginald Osei Asibey, Ms Fauzia Tanko, and the administration of PURC Ashanti Area.
KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
