The Bono East Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission has expressed serious concerns over the rising prevalence of unauthorized meters in the region.
This illegal practice is significantly impacting the revenue of utility providers, particularly the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
Regional Manager Cassiel Eghan Asiedu revealed alarming information during the office’s mid-year review. He stated that substandard meters, not sourced from NEDCo or the Ministry of Energy, have infiltrated the homes of unsuspecting residents, resulting in substantial revenue losses that hinder key investments in the utilities sector.
“We have become aware of some individuals going around selling unapproved meters to unsuspecting residents of the region. This action is illegal and seriously affects the revenue of NEDCo. We urge prospective customers to visit the utility for service connections and to refrain from purchasing from private individuals,” Mr. Asiedu cautioned.
His remarks highlighted the ongoing challenges the office faces as it seeks to ensure compliance and protect both consumers and service providers. In a positive update, Mr. Asiedu shared that the Commission has successfully facilitated credit adjustments totaling GHC79,253.91 for customers who reported discrepancies in their electricity bills during the first half of the year. Additionally, the Commission aided in the recovery of GHC21,991.47 on behalf of NEDCo.
Throughout the reporting period, the office received a total of 826 complaints from consumers and utilities alike. Remarkably, 791 of these complaints were resolved, representing an impressive 95.76% success rate. The primary grievance among consumers was the quality of service, which accounted for 91.64% of all complaints lodged.
To further engage the community, the Commission reached out to over 32,000 customers through its public education initiatives, simplifying access to vital information for consumers. Mr. Asiedu emphasized the importance of consolidating these gains through ongoing, transparent stakeholder engagements, as well as the vigorous enforcement of operational benchmarks.
As the Commission continues its work, it remains committed to ensuring that residents of Bono East are protected from illegal practices and that the integrity of utility services is upheld for the benefit of all.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
