Bono PURC initiates "PURC at Your District" to improve utility services

Sunyani(Bono)-The Bono Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has embarked on an initiative targeting utility-related challenges through Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs), to enhancing service delivery across the region.

The programme, part of the Regional Office's quarterly outreach activities, is themed “PURC at Your District”, and seeks to identify and address challenges faced by utility consumers in collaboration key stakeholders at the Assemblies.

Ms Julia Antwi, Public Relations Officer for the Bono PURC, told the media in Sunyani that the assemblies serve as the voice of local communities and the engagement was to understand specific concerns related to electricity and water services.

She said since the initiative began in July, the office has visited five of the region’s 12 assemblies, including Sunyani East and West, Berekum East, Dormaa Central, Dormaa East.

Ms Antwi explained, the engagements have revealed a range of issues,saying in Sunyani West problems with metering, low voltage, and water supply were reported,while, at Chiraa, parts of the community have experienced low voltage for over five years, and in Odumase residents raised concerns about deteriorating electricity poles.

She said in Adansi, also in Sunyani West, low voltage remains a major issue,which they intend to visit the area with NEDCo officials to address the concerns.

She said at Wamfie, the predominant issue involved the Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP) meters, indicating the area suffers from widespread low voltage, prompting plans for a dedicated community engagement session.

She explained that through this engagement, all consumers with illegal meters will have their devices replaced by NEDCo to ensure accurate billing, thereby enhancing revenue collection.

Highlighting the region’s complaint resolution performance for the first half of 2025, Ms Antwi said, the region received 752 complaints against NEDCo, resolving 724.

While,all 46 complaints against Ghana Water Limited were resolved, along with two complaints filed against consumers.

She added that total billing adjustments for consumers amounted to GHS 43,282.72.

In addition, six transformers and 95 electricity poles were replaced to enhance power stability across affected communities.