By Laudia Sawer
Krobo, Nov. 01, GNA — The Krobo District office under the Tema Regional Office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has installed about 35,000 prepaid meters in the district since the commencement of the postpaid meter replacement project in 2022.
Mr. Christopher Apawu, an engineer and the ECG Krobo District Manager, disclosed this at a public education forum on the company’s operations and services.
Mr Apawu indicated that the prepaid meter installation project was done in phases, from one community to the next, adding that it is not a one-off project but rather an ongoing one.
He was accompanied by Mr. Maxwel Narh, the Krobo District Customer Management Officer, and Ms. Sakyiwaa Mensah, the ECG Tema Regional PRO.
Responding to enquiries from the public on hearsay of the installation of the prepaid meters being sanctioned by some individuals, he stressed that the installation was not for the gains of anybody, explaining that it was a national project that was started in the year 2000.
He added that the national project was aimed at ensuring that all ECG customers throughout its operational areas were using prepaid meters, adding that its goal was still ongoing.
Mr Apawu explained that the provision of power on the prepaid meters required good internet service in the area; therefore, ECG relies on telecommunication companies and other organisations to discharge its services efficiently.
He added that the utility distributor also relies on other organisations and services to do aspects of their work.
He said: “So, for instance, for a prepaid meter to be installed and to have it working well, internet service must be good in that locality. Hence, we move behind the telecom companies where our prepaid meter installations are concerned.”
He and his team also educated the public on the general steps for meter acquisition and ECG cashless service and urged customers to be alert to avoid falling prey to fraudsters when using the system.
The Krobo District ECG manager reminded the public that the company does not have any mobile money number to which customers are required to make payments; therefore, anyone who contacts them with such claims should be considered fraudulent activity.
“Our cashless service means payments are made through the ECG mobile app or the use of the shortcode *226#.”
He further educated the public on the use of Energy Commission-certified electricians, and the consequences of using substandard cables for their wiring works.
He stressed: The ECG, per law, cannot supply power to any structure that does not have a certified wiring certificate, therefore, customers should please take note and do right by the law.”
GNA