Prepaid meters to replace credit meters by 2005

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will replace all credit meters in the Accra Metropolis with prepaid meters by 2005 as part of measures to ensure effective revenue collection and efficient energy use.

Mr. Abraham Anokye Abebrese, acting Greater Accra Regional Commercial Manager who announced this on Saturday said with the prepaid meter customers can monitor consumption and avoid wrong meter reading often associated with the credit meters.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after a community durbar on energy conservation at Madina in Accra, he dismissed the notion that the prepaid meter is more expensive.

He said the amount charged is the same as the credit meter, but because people have to pay for the service ahead of use, they tend to see it as expensive.

Mr. Abebrese said the installation of the new meters started two years ago and currently the company is concentrating on high energy consumption areas such as Ashaiman, Adenta, Airport Residential Area and Regimanuel Estates.

Speaking at the durbar, Mr. Michael Otoo, District Manager for Northeast Legon warned against illegal connection and said offenders would face the full rigours of the law when caught.

He said transfer of meters by customers leaving their premises is allowed only in cases of movable property such as containers and kiosks.

"Removing meter from one immovable property to another is illegal, he stressed."