ECG to install pre-paid meters in public offices

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has begun the process to install pre-payment metering systems to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the Ashanti Region.

A pre-installation survey is currently going on to help the ECG to identify and know the number of pre-paid meters to be installed in each ministry, department or agency.

Mr Eramus Baidoo, Ashanti Regional Public Relations Manager of the company, told the Ghana News Agency that the exercise was part of efforts to address the problem of huge indebtedness of these government institutions.

He said the ECG in partnership with the Ghana Electrometer, an indigenous pre-payment metering manufacturing company, had begun the installation of about 200,000 pieces of pre-paid meters to customers in the Ashanti West Region of the company.

Mr Baidoo said the project was going to help the ECG to hasten the directive by the government to the company, to install pre-paid meters in all ministries, departments and agencies throughout the country.

He said the company was still dialoguing with MDAs who were in huge arrears in electricity bills to settle their indebtedness.

Mr Baidoo said the pre-payment metering system was the surest way to bring the services of the company to the doorsteps of customers, while at the same time improve revenue collection for the company.

Mr Obed Bright Solomon, Director, Strategy, Operations and External Relations of Ghana Electrometer, said the company’s Smart-G pre-payment metering system was one of the technologically advanced quality products on the Ghanaian market.

He said the installation was currently taking place in three districts in the Ashanti West region of the Company namely, Abuakwa, Danyame and Suame.

Mr Solomon said the meter operated with the help of a user interface system, which made it easy to recharge or monitor consumption.

It has an inbuilt Geographical Positioning System (GPS) which makes it easy for ECG officials to monitor the meter from their offices.

Mr Solomon said the company was ready to support the ECG to provide efficient services to customers and improve its revenue generation.