Commentary, News

ECG’s new top-up directive: A slap in the face of consumers

By Ruth Abla Adjorlolo

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has once again demonstrated its propensity for making decisions without considering the repercussions on its consumers.

The latest directive, urging customers to top up their Nuri Meters ahead of an emergency upgrade, is a stark reminder of the company’s tone-deaf approach to customer relations.

The upgrade, which is part of the Standard Transfer Specifications (STS) protocol, aims to ensure uninterrupted vending services and maintain the highest standards of service delivery. However, the timing and manner of the directive have left many consumers feeling frustrated and exploited.

The lack of information about the new meters has been a recurring complaint among customers. Many have expressed concerns about the supposed increased energy consumption by the new meters, which are being installed across the country.

According to ECG, the change of meters is in line with the PURC regulations to change meters after 10 years. But the question on the minds of many is, how does ECG expect consumers to afford the increased costs?

A consumer who buys 300 Ghana cedis worth of credit a week, totaling 1,200 Ghana cedis a month, is already struggling to make ends meet. How can they be expected to top up their meters, especially when they earn less than 2,000 Ghana cedis a month? The ECG’s assurance of convenience offered by the smart prepaid meters rings hollow when consumers are struggling to afford basic necessities of life.

The company’s claim, that customers can buy credits from the comfort of their homes using the ECG Power App or the short code *226# is a stark reminder of the disconnect between the company and its consumers. Furthermore, recent revelations about the government’s default on a $259 million payment owed to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) raise serious questions about the company’s transparency and accountability.

The warning by the Chief Executive Officer the Independent Power Producers (IPP), Dr. Elikplim Apetorgbor, that three critical power plants face an imminent shutdown due to accumulating unpaid debts, tells of the crisis facing the energy sector. It is time for ECG to take a hard look at its policies and practices.

The company must prioritize the needs and concerns of its consumers, rather than simply paying lip service to their interests.

The vulnerable citizens, unemployed and pensioners, in particular, need to be protected and respected. Even the employed are crying due to low salaries or remuneration. Enough is enough; Ghanaians are tired of being taken for granted.