By Michael Foli Jackidy
Aflao (V/R), Dec. 11, GNA – The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has held a public engagement forum for customers in the Denu–Aflao District at Aflao.
The event was organised to interact with customers, listen to their concerns, receive feedback, and outline measures being implemented to improve efficient and reliable power supply in the area.
Discussions focused on key operational areas including Technical Operations, Payment Platforms, Service Acquisition Processes, Metering and Billing, and Network Vandalism and Power Theft.
Mr Ebenezer Baiden, Acting Deputy Managing Director, Commercial Services at ECG Head Office, said the engagement was a direct response to persistent complaints from customers in the district.
“Our story is simple. The people of Denu District have complained for long, about bills they do not understand, metering challenges, and unresolved service issues. A month ago, we came here on a fact-finding mission, and we have now returned with solutions,” he said.
He announced that ECG had increased the number of meter readers to ensure all meters are read monthly and accurate bills generated.
On customer service challenges, he noted that ECG had established help desks and improved customer management systems to ensure quicker resolution of complaints.
Mr Baiden disclosed that the company had identified over 700 illegal meters smuggled into the district, some through the borders and others from Accra.
ECG has procured genuine meters to replace all illegal ones and will spread outstanding bills to make payment manageable for affected consumers. So far, he noted that 334 meters have been replaced.
He added that the district had been supplied with the required transformers, poles, and other materials, and customers were encouraged to visit the office for support as the company expands its customer service centres.
He explained that although prepaid meters were useful, poor network connectivity in parts of the district, especially along the border, made them difficult to operate.
“We are studying possible technical solutions to address this,” he assured.
Ms Christina Jatoe-Kaleo, General Manager for ECG in the Volta and Oti Regions, said all concerns raised had been documented.
“Some issues are individual, and we have directed affected customers to the office for immediate attention. Others, such as low voltages in the evenings, are community-wide matters. We have received materials and have already begun replacing damaged transformers and addressing network weaknesses,” she added.
She acknowledged that complaints in the electricity sector were continuous, but ECG was committed to resolving them promptly.
Mr Nicholas Worclatsie, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ketu South, commended ECG for the intervention and praised the active involvement of consumer groups in highlighting issues affecting residents.
“We are people who speak up when our livelihoods are affected. Power cuts disrupt agriculture, border trade, businesses, and even healthcare. Our people expect quality service, not handouts, and that is what the government aims to provide,” he said.
He thanked ECG and the Energy Ministry for swiftly responding to concerns, especially regarding the replacement of illegal meters with new ones.
He urged continued collaboration to sustain improvements.
During the interactive session, customers raised concerns about overbilling, meter reading inconsistencies, staff attitude, and other service challenges.
ECG managers assured them of immediate action.
A youth group from Aflao, which had earlier considered a demonstration over persistent issues, expressed satisfaction with the engagement.
They are hopeful that the concerns raised would be fully addressed in the coming weeks.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante Agyei