Bolgatanga: The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have successfully recovered GHS28,000.00 from consumers across the Upper East and North East Regions in 2024. This recovery is attributed to the efforts of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), following complaints lodged by the service providers regarding consumer indebtedness.
According to Ghana News Agency, the intervention by PURC also resulted in GHS22,642.98 being paid to consumers in the form of adjustments, highlighting the commission's role in resolving utility disputes. Mr. Pius Ikililu Abdulai, the Upper East Regional Complaint Resolution Officer of the PURC, shared these developments during a media engagement held in Bolgatanga. The event aimed to foster collaboration between the Commission and the media to enhance service delivery to consumers.
In 2024, the Commission in the region received 639 complaints and managed to resolve 96.9 percent of them. Of these, 600 complaints were against NEDCo, with a resolution rate of 96.7 percent, while all 30 complaints against the GWL were resolved. Additionally, the Commission addressed nine complaints against consumers.
Mr. Abdulai noted the positive impact of the Commission's presence and public sensitization efforts, which contributed to a decrease in complaints from 884 in 2023 to 639 in 2024. The Commission's intervention also led to the replacement of eight transformers, 50 electricity poles, and one meter, benefiting consumers' lives and livelihoods.
Mr. Seth Kponyo, the Upper East Regional Manager of PURC, emphasized the importance of media collaboration to improve service delivery and noted efforts to educate the public through jingles in local languages. Established in October 1997, the PURC aims to regulate electricity and water utility services and foster a harmonious relationship between service providers and consumers.
The Commission, which began operations in the Upper East Region in 2022, has made significant strides in resolving complaints and enhancing service delivery. In 2022, it facilitated the recovery of GHS332,267.70 for GWL and NEDCo and ensured GHS26,538.23 in customer adjustments. The Commission also oversaw the replacement of utility infrastructure and the resolution of delayed service connections. In 2023, further adjustments and infrastructure replacements were successfully executed with the PURC's intervention.
