ECG Disconnects Ghana Water Over GH¢1 Billion Debt, Also Storms GBC

• The Electricity Company of Ghana has disconnected the Ghana Water Company Limited from the national power grid
• Ghana Water Company Limited is said to owe the Electricity Company of Ghana GH¢1 billion
• The Electricity Company of Ghana also disconnected the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation over a GH¢3 million debt

The Electricity Company of Ghana has disconnected the Ghana Water Company Limited from the national power grid over a GH¢1 billion debt.

This disconnection on June 17 was part of its ongoing nationwide revenue mobilisation and disconnection exercise.

Citi News reported that the Electricity Company of Ghana issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Water Company to settle its outstanding debt or risk an extended disconnection of power supply to its main pumping stations.

After cutting power to Ghana Water Limited, the task force also went to the premises of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and disconnected it over a GH¢3 million debt.

According to the company, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation failed to comply with a structured payment plan previously agreed upon, necessitating the disconnection.

About the ECG revenue mobilisation exercise

The Electricity Company of Ghana's Nationwide Revenue Mobilisation exercise started on June 16.

It is focusing on all categories of customers with arrears. These come under residential, commercial, industrial and Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The exercise will be monitored by special teams who will apprehend and prosecute customers who attempt to interfere with the exercise, and/or undertake illegal self-reconnection after disconnection.

Customers with arrears were advised to pay their bills to avoid disconnection and payment of reconnection fees.

This has been necessary because of the losses the Electricity Company of Ghana consistently suffers.

For example, the Accra West Region Electricity Company of Ghana lost about GH¢ 4 million in 2021 over nine months due to illegal connection activities.

Illegal connection operations stole an estimated 3.9 million kWh (3.9mkWh) between January and September 2021, resulting in the company's loss of GH¢3.9 million.

Controversial power connections at Rehoboth properties

The Electricity Company of Ghana uncovered illegal electricity supply to over 400 homes at Rehoboth Estate in Kweiman.

The discovery was made by the Electricity Company of Ghana's Accra East revenue team on June 16.

The Electricity Company of Ghana is considering legal action against the management of Rehoboth Estate after accusing it of stealing power.

The Accra East Revenue Protection Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Eunice Nana Agyemang, said the company's legal team would be pursuing the matter.

Man jailed six months for illegal connection

YEN.com.gh reported that the Tamale District Court 1 sentenced one Wahab Shiraz to a six-month prison term with hard labour because of illegal power connections.

Shiraz, a resident of Bulpella, was discovered engaging in illegal activities during a December 2023 NEDCo Mass Revenue Mobilisation Exercise.

Despite receiving an illegal connection notice, he failed to report for investigation at the NEDCo office.

His case was then transferred to the Tamale police command, which led to his subsequent arrest and prosecution.

Source: YEN.com.gh