Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has issued a warning to organizations that owe debts to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), including government institutions, stating that their electricity supply will be disconnected if they do not settle their debts. This warning follows a growing scandal regarding the disappearance of ECG containers at the port, which has raised widespread concerns about corruption.
Also, inconsistent power supply has affected businesses and livelihoods. Speaking to Lily Mohammed on GHToday, Jinapor revealed that several State institutions are owing the company, hindering the 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 made any payments, and I have written to the President about this,” he stated. The Minister emphasized that if these institutions continue to default on their payments, they will face disruptions in their electricity supply. He also called for a review of Ghana Water’s procurement processes to reduce costs. Jinapor’s warning extends to other institutions, including Parliament and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), which will need to provide a payment plan to avoid electricity supply cuts.
“A lot of the MMDAs are not paying. Ordinary Ghanaians are 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 costs…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”
By: Hamdia Mohammed