GWCL cannot roll out pilot of new billing system until...PURC

The Public Relations Officer (PRO), of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC), Nana Yaa Jantuah has said, they have not approved of the piloting of the new billing and payment system proposed by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).

The GWCL has introduced a new billing and payment system. It is being piloted in the Tema metropolis.

The areas include all the communities in Tema, Kpone, Ashaiman, Spintex, Baatsonaa, Sakumono, Kpong, Akuse, Tema New Town, and surrounding areas.

This new billing and payment system will eventually be scaled up to cover the whole country upon successful implementation at the Tema Region.

A statement signed by the Head of Public Relations and Communications, Stanley Martey, said: “With effect from 1st June, 2016, GWCL meter readers will be capturing customer consumption data with a hand-held android device equipped with a software, which already has customers’ data comprising the following: customer name, customer phone number, customer’s last captured consumption data, customer’s geographical location and other relevant information”.

“The system will calculate customers’ water consumption and automatically send them their corresponding bill via text message (SMS) and or e-mail. Customers are, therefore, required to make available to GWCL, two reliable cell phone numbers each, and email addresses if possible, to receive their bills,'' the statement added.

But speaking to Kwaku Owusu Frimpong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio, Nana Yaa Jantuaah said, the GWCL cannot go ahead to implement the new billing system, since the PURC has not approved of it.

According to her, the GWCL presented to the PURC the new billing system, but they were told on to hold on until the PURC is able to examine and approve of the new system before they implement or pilot it.

She revealed, the PURC will hold an emergency meeting with GWCL, to discuss the issues since they do not want the current challenges with the new electricity billing software to be experienced with the water sector.

She stressed, the PURC will have to meet with the GWCL before they can roll out the pilot billing system.

Nana Yaa Jantuah said they want to ensure that consumers have value for their money, therefore they will take the necessary steps to ensure that the new billing system by the GWCL, is examined critically before approval is given for the piloting and full implementation.