Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has warned entities owing the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), including state institutions, that their electricity supply will be cut off if they fail to settle their debts.
The Minister’s warning comes amidst a growing scandal involving the disappearance of ECG containers at the port, sparking widespread concerns of corruption.
Also, there has been the challenge of inconsistent power supply affecting businesses and livelihoods.
Speaking to Lily Mohammed on GHToday, Jinapor revealed that several State institutions are owing the company hindering efficiency of the supply.
He noted that many Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are not paying their electricity bills, with Ghana Water being a notable example.
“Ghana Water has not paid even one cedi, and I’ve written to the President,” he stated.
The Minister emphasised that if these institutions continue to default on their payments, they will face electricity supply disruptions. He also called for a review of Ghana Water’s procurement processes to cut costs.
Jinapor’s warning extends to other institutions, including Parliament and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), which will be required to provide a payment plan to avoid electricity supply cuts.
“A lot of the MMDAs are not paying, You an ordinary Ghanaian is paying so the MMDAs ought to pay. Ghana Water in particular has not even paid one cedi and I’ve written to the president. Let me be clear, if they continue like that we’ll cut them. If Ghana Water continues to sell water, collect money and not pay their electricity bills, we’ll be compelled to cut them because you are [Ghanaians] are paying and so they ought to pay.”
“I also think that the Minister should also look at Ghana Water as well the procurement and everything and ensure we cut cost…We are going to follow a programme where ordinary consumers like you and I will pay but also Institutions like Parliament, Ghana Water, GBC, for instance, we cut them, they had to come and give us a payment plan”
