The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, (PURC) issued the Capital Contribution guidelines in May 2024 under regulation 22 of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (Consumer Service) Regulations of 2020 (LI 2413). The purpose of the guidelines is to provide a framework for the orderly approval, calculation and refund of capital contributions made by customers to access the services of utility service providers.

Capital contribution is an upfront financial payment from the customer to a service provider to enable the service provider to extend its services to the customer.

In line with the regulatory mandate of the Commission, the northern regional office of the Commission on October 2, 2024, engaged all district managers of GWL including their commercial and finance managers on the Commission’s approved guidelines on the refund of capital contributed by customers.

The Commission’s Northern Regional Manager, Mr. Simon Ali Jarana, remarked that it was important for all District Managers of GWL to appraise themselves with the guidelines in their line of duty. He further advised them to visit the Commission's website to familiarise themselves with the policy document.

The Regional Manager in his closing remarks encouraged GWL to adhere to the company’s standard operating procedures for distribution operations, in particular, notification of customers, which according to the Regional Manager includes but is not limited to time of interruption to the supply, areas to be affected, and reason(s) for the interruption.

The Regional manager also took the opportunity to demand a water rationing timetable for the greater Tamale metropolis and its environs.