Electricity Tariffs: Don't Go Beyond 0-50% Or Else... - ECG PRO Cautions Consumers

Public Relations Manager for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Mr. William Boateng has cautioned electricity consumers to utilize the government subsidy on electricity tariffs in order to benefit fully. According to him, some users have not understood the arrangements made by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Electricity Company of Ghana in the tariff reduction process. Government agreed to reduce electricity tariffs by 45 percent and 50 percent for lifeline consumers and vulnerable groups in the country. The relief translated into the following rates: 0-50 = 45% 51-300= 50% which means "all consumers between the 0-50 band will have a 45% reduction in their electricity tariff while the 51-300 band will have 50% reduction." Despite the tariff relief, several electricity consumers have complained bitterly about the speed at which their prepaid meters run which makes the reduction almost insignificantly felt by them. Some complain that they buy 20 cedis worth of electricity credit and it can last them for 3 days while others buy 100 cedis worth of electricity credit and their electricity supply whisks away quickly like a fly. Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo', Mr. William Boateng seized the opportunity to explain to Ghanaians how the tariff relief rates work. He noted that the prepaid meter users who fall within the 0 to 50 percent rate should make sure that they don't go beyond the specified percentage. He explained that if they go beyond 50% and immediately they reach 51%, they have to refund the money to the electricity supplier. He cited that if a consumer buys 20 cedis worth of electricity credit and its usage exceeds 51%, the consumer will have to refund the surplus to the ECG. Therefore, the next time the consumer goes to buy credit at the same 20 cedis and loads onto the prepaid meter, the supplier will immediately deduct the refundable amount which then reflects on the meter. “From 0 to 50 which is exclusively, we should sell 1 unit for 34 pesewas. If you go beyond the 50 percent and reach 51 to 300, it’s more than 67 pesewas. Have you seen the difference? We’ve made the arrangements because we have to arrange it in such way that it can take care of the poor...That’s how the system runs. It’s that ECG has intentionally arranged something to deceive our customers.” He however added that the ECG and PURC are negotiating to solve the issue. “We’re contemplating with the PURC to enroll every consumer to 300 so that by the end of the month when we enter the following month and it proves that you’re 50-unit lifeline customer, then we will refund the money to you. So that we stop giving you the cheapest and when you’re heading towards the middle of the month, we move you to another bracket for you to refund. When you’re going to the end of another month, If PURC can agree, it would rather help."

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana