Ghana Water to replace metal meters with plastic to stop scrap dealer theft — MD

The Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Adam Mutawakilu, has revealed plans by the company to replace its current metal-based meters with plastic ones.

Speaking on Accra-based TV3’s Hot Issues aired on Sunday, May 18, Mr. Mutawakilu said the company is considering a long-term shift to plastic water meters to stop the widespread practice of meter theft, especially in areas with high customer volumes.

“Our interest and what I’m looking for is a company that can provide plastic meters so that the scrap dealers will not have any business in stealing the meters,” he stated.

He noted that under the current arrangement, Ghana Water continues to incur losses from the theft of brass meters, particularly in regions like Accra West and Accra East.

“If not, we provide those with brass, then we’ll continue to lose them daily. Because if Accra West alone, every month, some meters are gone, take Accra East, which has openly a customer population of over 700,000, so you can see,” he stated.

Mr. Mutawakilu explained that any prospective supplier would need to meet specific standards before any procurement of the plastic meters is done.

“You don’t just go and procure, bring the meters, because we have certain specifications that they must meet. They have to do robust checking,” he noted.

The Ghana Water MD said the initiative is part of a broader plan to adapt to emerging challenges as the company strives to improve efficiency in service delivery.