Some Ghanaians angry as new meters drain them financially

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) recently replaced all post-paid, non-smart prepaid, and faulty meters with what it described as MMS-compliant smart prepaid meters.

The meter replacement exercise, according to the power distribution company, is part of the company’s Loss Reduction Programme (LRP), an initiative to facilitate the installation of smart meters and improve energy accounting.

The new meters aim to reduce system losses, provide more accurate readings, and eliminate billing discrepancies that plagued customers with the older models.

However, some customers have bemoaned the frequency with which they visit ECG offices and agents to purchase power to avoid sleeping in darkness and to keep their items refrigerated due to high power consumption.

Some people who shared receipts of their electricity purchases showed spending about GH¢1,700 a month, while others spent an average of GH¢500.

Other tweeps believe the installation of the new meters is a way for the government to milk Ghanaians.

They opined that the new meters were draining Ghanaians financially as huge amounts are needed to keep their lights on.

"They changed my meter just one month ago and this is what I have spent so far. No be say I get cold store for my house oh!! No be say I dey 3 bedroom apartment. Just me alone!!! If I do illegal connection may3 bone?" a tweep named Kobe Boujee said.

Another stated, "Is ECG using the new meter to milk money from the citizens? Ei."

Some tweeps are considering illegal connections to heave a sigh of relief as paying high amounts for electricity is unbearable.

Meanwhile, the new meters are said to be equipped with anti-tampering mechanisms to help curb illegal connections and reduce losses due to electricity theft.

Read some of tweets below:

They changed my meter just one month ago and this is what I have spent so far. No be say I get cold store for my house oh !!

No be say I dey 3 bedroom apartment

Just me alone !!!

If I do illegal connection may3 bone ? pic.twitter.com/KkJix7bOSu

— Kobe Boujee (@kobe_boujee88) November 1, 2024

Ghanaians gather here. Are you guys also experiencing this? 👀 pic.twitter.com/hESmeGgtwr

— WithAlvin 🇬🇭 (@withAlvin__) November 6, 2024

This is my bill. I suspect they are stealing from us cuz I wasn’t home for 2 day and switch all my appliances with a balance of 100 cedis I came back on Sunday to check my credit balance of 25 https://t.co/lOm4MChO11 ECG pic.twitter.com/vrbOr2VYqP

— Adam Hudu (@AdamHudu670676) November 2, 2024

Is ECG using the new meter to milk money from the citizens? Ei

The new meter dea 💀 💀 💀 💀💀💀

— Joe Funds (@JoeUnchained) November 4, 2024

I need to get Ghana laws cos ECG are moving mad. We need to do something. Don't we have consumer protection laws? The new meters are disasters people are fed up

— THE BOSS 🇬🇭 (@cashmoneymaker1) November 7, 2024

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