ECG explains why your prepaid may not last long

The Communications Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), William Boateng, has responded to concerns from sections of the public who claim they are being overcharged and that their prepaid credit no longer lasts as long as before.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Boateng explained that ECG only implements tariffs approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

“As we already know, when PURC gives us a tariff adjustment, that is exactly what we implement. If PURC announces, for instance, a 10 percent increment, it means whatever amount you pay monthly will reflect that 10 percent increase. The same applies to prepaid purchases,” he said.

He noted, however, that if a customer buys prepaid electricity earlier in the year and a tariff increment takes effect later, the cost of subsequent purchases will reflect the new rate.

“It is not supposed to be so dramatic, so I am a little surprised by some of the complaints,” he stated. “Whatever increment PURC gives us is what is captured in our system. We have not implemented anything beyond that.”

Mr. Boateng suggested that increased consumption could be a major factor behind the complaints.

ECG explains why your prepaid may not last long Nhyiraba Kwadwo

According to him, changes in weather conditions, particularly extreme heat, can lead to higher use of cooling appliances such as air conditioners and fans.

“When the heat increases, someone can even double the use of cooling appliances. That alone can affect your consumption,” he explained.

He also pointed out that during festive periods, such as Christmas, many people purchase new electrical appliances due to promotional sales, which may subsequently increase their electricity usage.

Additionally, he advised customers to check for possible electrical faults in their homes.

“Sometimes the issue may be with wiring or earthing. That is why we have certified electrical contractors who can check whether there is leakage or any fault affecting consumption,” he said.

Mr. Boateng encouraged customers who suspect irregularities in their billing to report directly to ECG for investigation.

“We work with machines; it is not about defending anything. There could be a margin of error. If your bill exceeds what you expected or your credit finishes unusually fast, report it to ECG,” he urged.

ECG explains why your prepaid may not last long Nhyiraba Kwadwo

He explained that once a complaint is lodged, engineers are tasked to assess the meter, analyse consumption patterns, and determine the cause of the issue.

“When customers report, we can properly investigate, analyse the situation, and resolve it if there is a genuine problem,” he assured.

BY: NHYIRABA KWADWO SAMMY BEE

SOURCE: ADOMONLINE.COM

Written by: Nhyiraba Kwadwo

ECG ECG CUSTOMERS WILLIAM BOATENG