A group calling itself United Krobo Foundation is demonstrating against plans by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to introduce prepaid meters in Somanya and its environs.
According to the group, prepaid meters cannot be accepted in the area while there is unresolved impasse over billing.
Convener of the group, Nathan Boryou, told the media that ECG must scrap all outstanding arrears of customers in the Krobo area and sit with the people for the way forward.
“The ECG as an Institution was not able to resolve the problem of their customers within Krobo area .The grievances of customers are so agitating that more problems may occur in days ahead”.
The group is therefore demanding that “prepaid metering within the Krobo states must stop immediately”.
He said Krobos were not paid compensation when Akosombo and Kpone dams were constructed also the VRA Resettlement fund is not being utilized to the benefit of the affected Communities hence must be investigated.
The group had earlier demanded that the entire Krobo enclave access free direct power supply from Volta River Authority (VRA) as part of social responsibility of the Authority for dispossessing krobos from their land for the construction of the Kpong Dam.
According to the group, residents in Krobo area can no longer be under Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for power supply.
The feud between krobos and ECG led to deadly clashes resulting in the shooting of protestors in which two died while at least five sustained gunshot wounds in May 2019. A female Junior High School student part of the victim had her leg amputated while a footballer has been crippled as a result of the injury.
The residents were protesting against over billing by ECG
Addressing the media Thursday November 19,2020 leadership of United Krobo Foundation said ,the Minister of Energy John Peter Amewu failed to set up a committee as promised to investigate the incident creating anxiety among residents since the impasse is still unresolved .
According to the group ,demand by krobos for the over billing arrears to be written off has not been dealt with.
Boryor Nathan -Vice Secretary to the United Krobo Foundation who addressed the media said ,failure by government to find lasting solution to the impasse could trigger another violence should ECG revisit decision to disconnect customers indebted to the company .
He said the group has petitioned President Akufo-Addo for their concerns to be addressed but nothing has been done about it.
He said ,ECG failed to adhere to recommendations by Kofi Afeau Committee some years ago “to do justice to the people in Krobo Area of jurisdiction in terms of withdrawing the over charged or over bill distributed to the clients but nothing was done” hence went ahead to disconnect residents which led to the violence .
The group said ,the NPP stands a better chance of winning the support of many krobos if government intervenes to permanently address the concerns of the people.
Source:Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/Kojo Ansah
