By Daniel Agbesi Latsu, GNA
Kadjebi (O/R), April 8, GNA – Residents of Kadjebi in the Oti Region have renewed calls for the installation of prepaid electricity meters to address persistent concerns over overbilling by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The residents say the continued issuance of estimated bills, often with unexplained charges, was negatively affecting their livelihoods and crippling small businesses in the area.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Gershon Appiah, a resident, recounted that his electricity supply was disconnected on January 28 over an alleged debt of GHS1,652.
He said he immediately made a part payment of GHS300.00 on the day of disconnection and followed up with an additional GHS500 in March.
Mr Appiah expressed surprise upon receiving a text message from ECG indicating that his March bill was GHS90.82 for a consumption of 38 kilowatt-hours, even though his electricity supply had remained disconnected during the period.
According to him, this brought his outstanding bill to GHS948, a situation he described as fraudulent and unjustifiable.
He, therefore, called on the Minister of Energy and other relevant stakeholders to intervene and ensure the installation of prepaid meters to eliminate “unexplainable billing practices.”
Ms Mawusi Asong, another resident, shared similar concerns, stressing that the introduction of prepaid meters would promote transparency and prevent “continuous financial losses” to consumers.
Meanwhile, Mr Samuel Bonze Quaye, Commercial Manager at the ECG Jasikan District Office, explained that customers with outstanding debts must settle them before reconnection.
He noted that once power was restored, new meter readings would be adjusted to reflect subsequent consumption.
Residents, however, insisted that prepaid meters remained the most reliable solution to curb estimated billing and restore trust between ECG and its customers.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/George-Ramsey Benamba