Electricity Company Expands Pre-Paid Meter Coverage

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has started installing 3,000 pre-paid meters at Sakumono Estate following the successful implementation of Zytec Money-Link pre-paid electricity meter pilot project at the North Labone Estates, in Accra.

The Company will instal the new meters in houses at the NTHC, Regimanuel, Parakuo Estates and Communities 15, 18, 19, 20 and 21 in Tema.

Speaking at a public education rally organised by the company at Sakumono on Sunday, to explain the operation of the money-link meters, Dr Nicholas Smart-Yeboah, Tema Regional Director said the pre-paid meters would enable consumers to pay ahead of the energy they use. "We want consumers to have control over the use of power in their homes and to become conscious of the use of the electric gadgets".

Dr Smart-Yeboah said pre-paid meters would end disconnection of power by ECG, eliminate inaccuracies in meter reading, constant complaints by consumers, and stop the theft of power.

He said the initial phases would cover the planned areas before being extended to unplanned areas.

The Regional Director disabused the minds of customers that the new billing system would be manipulated to cheat them.

The ECG in 1995 started the pre-paid meter installation with the use of "Cash-Power" in parts of SSNIT flats at Sakumono and parts of community three.

The company later introduced "Cash and Smile" meters, which are being installed at small factories and hotels.