The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has opened an office in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital. The Regional Office forms part of the PURC’s move to decentralize its operations and allow it [the PURC] to be more accessible to consumers of basic utilities.
PURC has also deployed digital systems that will complement its decentralization strategies across the country. The digital systems would allow clients to sit in the comfort of their homes and lay complaints.
The Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr. Ishmeal Ackah said it is imperative that clients of basic utilities like electricity and water are able to access these services with relative ease while the utility providers continue to run viable businesses.
“PURC has instituted two major reforms this year. One of them is the Complaints App. This means that you can sit in your homes and make a complaint. The regional managers have also created WhatsApp platforms where consumers can also just send complaints and we receive them. You do not need to write a letter or come to our office,” he said.
He said this when he spoke to the media at Bolgatanga after a meeting with the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). The meeting afforded PURC the opportunity to interact with management and staff of the Company [GWCL] in the region and proffer workable solutions to fine-tune the activities of the Company.
“PURC just opened an office in the Upper East Region so we wanted to introduce our officers to them because they are going to collaborate and work with them to ensure that the customer gets the best and also the utility companies are protected and remain viable”.
“We also interacted with the management of the GWCL to find out some of the innovations; the efficient ways they are using to satisfy customers and to also listen to their challenges to see which ones we can help address,” he said.
He said in the meeting with the GWCL, the obvious challenge of revenue loss through non-payment of debts featured prominently, illegal connections and the use of unregulated plumbers to connect water to their homes.
Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Manager of the Ghana Water Company (GWCL), Hanson Mensah Akutteh has given the assurance that clients would continue to enjoy uninterrupted water supply because of the completion of the Tono Water Project.
He was however worried about meter thefts and client debts amounting to over ghc1 million.
A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
