ECG launches new customer service programme

Accra (Greater Accra), 21st May 99 ?

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) on Thursday launched in Accra, an educational programme aimed at improving customer service relations and the efficient use of electricity in the country.

The programme, which has already taken off in the Volta, Eastern and Central regions, is also aimed at getting first-hand information about consumers' electricity problems.

It is under the theme "Efficient Use of Energy: Cut Down Your Electricity Bills".

Mr Kwamena Longdon, ECG Public Relations Manager, said it is the policy of the company to get close to customers, interact with them, find out their problems and how best to solve them.

"ECG is now a (limited) liability company, which means it no longer enjoys tax exemptions as it used to, but pays all duties and taxes on imported materials for its work, just like any other company in Ghana".

Mr Longdon said at the moment, the financial expenditure of the company is very high, saying "our capacity to provide good service depends on customers, and this can be sustained if we have the capacity to bring in the materials from outside".

Mr A. T. Baffour, ECG Accra East Regional Manager, said the ECG is now operating under a new law, which became effective on March 15, this year.

Under the law, a customer could be disconnected 42 days after receiving a bill if it remains unpaid.

On receiving the bill, a customer is given 28 days to pay and 14 days notice before disconnection. The reconnection fee is 30,000 cedis.

Mr Anthony L. Frimpong, Director of Materials and Transport, said the company valued its customers highly and pledged its readiness to listen to and take advice from the public.

He said the company has plans to ensure that customers enjoy good service, adding, however, that satisfactory service require "funds and co-operation from you (the public)".