File photo of ECG meters
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has warned the public to refrain from purchasing 'fake' meters from unknown individuals.
According to the service provider, it is the only institution mandated by law to provide meters to the public. Anyone engaged in such acts will be made to face the law.
Mr. Benjamin Obeng Antwi, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Public Relations Officer for the Ashanti West Region, spoke on the OTEC FM breakfast show on Monday, June 3, 2024.
He expressed the company's concern over the influx of fake meters in the system, negatively impacting the revenue mobilization of the power provider.
Mr. Antwi stated that these fake meters allow customers to use power for free as they are unable to record any consumption.
He explained, "We have information that some of those meters can be traced back to Côte d'Ivoire. The meter case is empty, with only a display board inside. It does not have any circuit that can measure energy usage; it is only a display board. Inside the meter is a bar that connects the output and input terminal directly."
He also noted that some of these fake meters could easily cause fire outbreaks due to their design and construction.
Mr. Benjamin Obeng Antwi cautioned prospective customers in the Ashanti Region against acquiring meters from sources other than the company.
He assured that the company has enough meters to meet the demands of its customers and that districts have been instructed to expedite the meter acquisition process to address delays.
He urged potential customers of ECG and the public to avoid using such fake meters, as the company conducts monitoring and auditing of energy meters and other equipment as part of its core activities.
