PURC on Accumulated Utility Bills

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has expressed worry about delay about demanding payment for services rendered to consumers of Electricity by ECG and the Northern Electricity Department.

A statement signed by the Executive Secretary said the situation where the ECG and the NED wait till several months before presenting customers with a huge bill which is normally turned the final bill arises when the customers meter is changed from the credit to the pre-payment metering system.

The Commission therefore informs the general public and all customers of the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Northern Electricity Department that under the Electricity supply and distribution rules, where the ECG and NED fail to bill a customer for a period of 12 months, the supplier cannot recover the cost of the service unless the delay in the billing occurs. This is without negligence on the part of the supplier, ECG, NED or due to the customer's actions.

The Commission appeals to customers of ECG and NED to take note of these regulations and insist on their rights and report violations to the Commission.

Meanwhile electricity consumers in the country have been asked not to pay accumulated tariffs after one year. According to the  PURC, it is unlawful for ECG to charge consumers accumulated bills. Speaking with Radio Ghana the public relation officer of PURC, Nana Adwoa Jantuah said public Education has been intensified for people to be aware of the existing law.