ECG revenue mobilization triggers new payment culture; Energy Minister’s support yield results

The mass revenue mobilization exercise undertaken by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has triggered a new culture of prompt payment of bills by customers.

A source at the nation’s biggest power distribution company told The Thunder on June 22 that many customers are now willingly paying their bills, which is good for the customers themselves and the company. Nevertheless, the source said there is still some work to do to hit the expected target of 100 per cent revenue collection.

Against the background, the company will continue to urge all customers to ensure that they honour their obligations to position the ECG to improve their services to the people.

Revenue collection
Between March 20 and April 20, 2023, the ECG conducted a special revenue mobilization exercise. The Managing Director of the ECG, Samuel Dubik Mahama, disclosed that the company recovered GH¢3.1 billion out of the GH¢5.7 debt owed by its customers across the country. Following the success story of the first phase, the ECG announced another nationwide revenue mobilization exercise.

The company explained in a press release that the exercise was to focus on recovering debts from all categories of customers, including State-Owned Enterprises.

Energy Minister’s support
The source said the government, through the Energy Ministry, has worked hard to keep the lights on, and it is important that the people do their part to keep things going.

“The support given by the Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh to the ECG has elicited a new wave of optimism in the operations of the company. He has shown extraordinary interest in the operations of the company, and we hope that he will continue with it,” the source said.

It cited how the minister personally joined the ECG’s revenue protection task during the recent revenue mobilisation exercise as an example.

No illegalities
Dr Opoku Prempeh has drummed home the need for customers to avoid illegalities. “As a country, we cannot continue to countenance the attitude of non-payment of bills, among other illegalities and expect optimal service delivery. When you need fuel, you cannot but pay to get it, why can’t you do the same for the electricity you consume,” he queried.

He added: “The financial capacity of the generator, transmitter and distributor is very much anchored on prompt payment of bills, especially as we work to clamp down on all forms of losses and intra-sector debts. “These three segments of the power value chain are symbiotically dependent on each other and therefore we must work together to clamp down on all forms of losses.”