Power Systems Economist Calls for Regulatory Action Against ECG’s Billing Practices
Power Systems Economist Calls for Regulatory Action Against ECG’s Billing Practices
- Dr. Apetorgbor argues that ECG's approach to billing innocent consumers undermines the principles of transparency
- He emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of ECG’s billing and customer engagement practices
- He criticized the government for shifting blame onto IPPs
Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, a Power Systems Economist, has urged the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to require the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to cease its practice of billing consumers on a subjective basis.
Dr. Apetorgbor argues that ECG’s approach to billing innocent consumers undermines the principles of transparency and accountability that PURC is obligated to uphold.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of ECG’s billing and customer engagement practices to ensure fair treatment for all consumers and to standardize and clarify revenue recovery mechanisms.
In a statement expressing his concerns about the new ECG meters, he pointed out that while the government often blames Independent Power Generators (IPGs) for the financial difficulties faced by ECG, much of the company’s issues stem from government-induced inefficiencies.
“The lack of coordination, planning, and accountability in the deployment of Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP) meters is primarily the government’s responsibility,” Dr. Apetorgbor stated.
He criticized the government for shifting blame onto IPPs, which he believes perpetuates a misleading narrative that distracts from the root causes of ECG’s challenges and unfairly vilifies critical stakeholders in Ghana’s electricity supply chain.
