The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) says it has begun an aggressive revenue collection exercise and as part of that, it is embarking on a massive disconnection of customers indebted to the company.
This was revealed by Ing. Tetteh Okine, Director of Operations at the Electricity Company of Ghana in a speech he delivered on behalf of the Acting Managing Director of the ECG, Ing. Samuel Boakye – Appiah at the commissioning of a customer service centre at Gomoa Oguaa in the Central region.
He said the ECG remains committed to its core mandate, which is to provide quality, safe and reliable power to support the economic growth and development of Ghana.
He maintained, the ECG is modernizing its operations with the use of information and communication technology to give better services and get closer to its customers.
Ing. Teteh Okine said the customer and business center at Gomoa Oguaa, and ten others across the nation cost the ECG 6.4 million Ghana cedis.
The siting of the business center at Gomoa Oguaa according to him was necessitated by its location and centrality to serve a number of communities.
He said the center will be easy and accessible to over twelve communities within the Gomoa west district which includes, Gomoa Ankamu (Apam Junction) through Gomoa Ajumako, Gomoa Nkoransa, Gomoa Obokrom, Gomoa Kumasi, Gomoa Enyimem, Gomoa Denkyira and beyond.
Ing Teteh Okine also advised chiefs and people within the center’s catchment area not to hesitate to access the facility for effective services.
He also cautioned them against illegal connection to evade bill payment, and also announced that the company will publish names of defaulters in the media.
“Our next cause of action is to publish the names of recalcitrant customers in the national newspapers and FM stations. I am therefore appealing to all defaulting customers of ECG to go and pay their electricity bills promptly to avoid any such embarrassment. We mean business ! ” he cautioned.
Nana Dantse II, the chief of Gomoa and the Asihene of Gomoa Akyeampim traditional council, was elated by the centre, noting how difficult it had been for people in the area, travelling long distances to access the services if ECG.
“Today is really a great day for the people of this community and the whole catchment area because we have been traveling to either Winneba or sometimes Swedru to pay our bills or report faults”, the chief who is also the director customer services at ECG said.
On his part, the Omanhen of the Gomoa Akyeapim traditional area, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II was hopeful the service centre will attract development to the area.
He appealed to the ECG to ensure that the people are given the right bills and also urged staff who would be posted to work at the facility to be professional in delivering services to the people.
He also used the opportunity to plead with government to come to the aid of the traditional area as the area lacks a number of needed infrastructure, especially the poor road network.
Bismark Bassie Nkum, the District Chief Executive for the Gomoa West District commended the ECG asked ECG to extend electricity communities not hooked to the national grid, noting the population there has increased , which is well over 170,000.
The Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Alex Kojo Abban, admonished parents to ensure that their wards use electricity positively to improve their education instead of spending all their time on watching television.
The Electricity Company of Ghana also presented a Nissan Pick-Up that would enhance operations of the centre.
The new customer service centre is expected to provide services which includes, payment of electricity bills, reporting of faults, reporting of illegal connection, application for new service connection among others.
By Thomas Cann|3news.com|Ghana