We’ve not forgiven GHC84,625,624 power debt – PDS

Power Distribution Company (PDS) has described as “inaccurate” reports that it has waived off about GHS100 million of debt owed the company by the residents of Krobo Odumase in the Eastern Region.

The reports said the move was part of efforts to restore peace between agitating residents and the power distribution company over accumulated bills which has become a matter of contention.

But PDS in a statement said reducing the amount owed the company by the residents from a total power debt of GHS195,725,500.29 to GHS84,625,624 is not a waiver or reduction of the debt but a reflection of the actual amount owed the company after its audits.

Last week, angry youth of Krobo organised a protest to petition the Municipal Chief Executive for the area, Kwaku Simon Tetteh, over billing after PDS had embarked on a mass disconnection exercise.

The youth on Wednesday, 22 May 2019 mounted road blocks and pelted the PDS Staff and the men and women of the Ghana Police Service with stones and sticks at Yohe, a community near Odumase Krobo when PDS staff went to the community to continue its mass disconnection exercise.

The situation degenerated into a free-for-all violence that led to the death of one teenager, who was hit by stray bullets fired by the police officers who were there to control the riotous crowd.

Nine people also got injured, including police officers.