ECG intensifies threat to cut power to K'dua Polytechnic over nonpayment of bills

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has issued a stern threat to cut power to the Koforidua Polytechnic  days after it was compelled to restore power to the school.

The ECG last Tuesday cut power supply  to the Koforidua Polytechnic as a result of the school's failure to pay January to October 2014 bills.

Even though the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) has intervened by ordering ECG to restore power to the School and ensure amicable settlement of the debt, ECG has threatened to disconnect the school again if it is unable to pay outstanding bills within two weeks.

Acting Rector of the Koforidua Polytechnic, Godfred Abledu, says he suspects some unscrupulous persons are working to befuddle academic activities at the polytechnic.

According to him, the school has paid a substantial amount of the debts owed ECG -- indicating there was no justification for the recent threats from the power distributor.

"ECG was not coming to us to demand for payment, until three months back. They came and showed us a certain letter that government said we should pay. We said no, government has not asked us to charge the students because this is a public institution. Now we assured them that, if government wants us to pay we will pay, so in that sense we can pay in installment so we went to negotiate. They then agreed that we pay 25% of  the debt" Abledu explained.

He disclosed these to Adom News Correspondent Maxwell Kudekor after the 19th Matriculation Ceremony of the school held over the weekend.

He however indicated that, they paid the GH¢120,000.00 out of GH¢400,000.00 but the ECG disregarded their part of the agreement and disconnected the school.

Mr Abledu begged of ECG to give them up to next year to enable them pay in full and clear the current bill as well.

He disclosed that, situation created a lot of inconvenience for the school since teaching is being affected.

He said during power cuts, administrative work come to a standstill while productivity dwindle.

"'Koforidua Polytechnic is the only Polytechnic which has paid GH¢ 120,000.00 but the Eastern Region ECG officials went ahead and disconnected us" Godfred Abledu stressed

The school has therefore decided to transfer the cost of the bills to the students to pay.