Don't Take Your ECG Metres Away When Relocating

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) says it is illegal for tenants to remove and transfer meters from rented properties they are vacating to other locations.

Most tenants who have issues with their landlords remove electricity meters they facilitate to install when vacating.

Engineer Joseph Forson, Tema Regional General Manager of the ECG, interacting with the media, said the practice where tenants who facilitated the acquisition of meters on their rented premises claimed ownership, was wrong and illegal.

Mr Forson explained that the meter was a state property and tenants had no right to remove it from their rented premises adding that in any case, ECG only had contracts with landlords not tenants.

He indicated that a landlord was supposed to endorse and provide some information when applying for a meter therefore their contract was with the landlord rather than the tenant.

He further said meters were not transferrable and urged the public to visit the nearest ECG offices to handle any meter related issues.

The General Manager reminded the public to only use Energy Commission's certified electricians to wire their properties as it was a requirement for the application for a meter.

He indicated that ECG used to license internal and external electrical contractors but the Energy Commission was now required by law to license those engaged in internal wiring therefore no application would be approved without strict adherence to it.

Mr Victor Ofei Awuku, Acting Regional Commercial Manager, in a presentation on tariffs, said there were about 1,200 customers in Tema Region on the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) metering technology.

Mr Awuku added that 48 per cent and 52 per cent were Special Levy Tariff (SLT) and non-SLT customers respectively.

The meters, he noted, were single and three phased with a capacity ranging from a minimum of 5/6Amps to 100Amps.

He stated that all the SLT meters were current transformer operated type with basic metering function for importing and exporting power as well as support two way communication.