The Northern Regional Office of PURC has assiduously undertaken a number of regulatory activities in the first quarter of 2024, as part of the Commission’s efforts to build a credible and sustainable regulatory regime that protects the interests of consumers and stakeholders. This is also in line with the Commission’s theme for the year - a year of strategic impact. A summary of the activities undertaken and the impact in the region are as follows.
The Northern Regional Office received a total of three hundred and ninety-three (393) complaints lodged against the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), Ghana Water Limited (GWL), and consumers in the first quarter of 2024. Three hundred and eighteen (318) complaints representing 80.92% were resolved. NEDCo received the highest number of complaints with three hundred five (305) representing 77.61% of the total complaints lodged, and Twenty-eight (28) representing 7.12% against GWL. GWL filed Sixty (60) complaints against consumers representing 15.26%. Seventy-five (75) unresolved complaints were at various stages of investigation and resolution by the end of the first quarter.
The office, investigated and facilitated revenue recoveries amounting to one hundred and fifty-seven thousand, two hundred and four Ghana Cedis, and fifty-nine Ghana Pesewas (GH¢ 157,204.59) in favor of GWL from customers who had failed to pay their bills after several demand notices served on them by the utility service provider.
The office also investigated and facilitated adjustments amounting to thirty-one thousand, three hundred and seventy-four Ghana Cedis and sixty-nine pesewas (GH¢31,374.69) in favour of some customers of NEDCo.
Furthermore, the regional office facilitated the replacement of four (4) High Tension (HT) poles, seven (7) energy meters, ten (10) water meters, and five (5) transformers to enhance quality service delivery in the region. These replacements amount to an estimated cost of over GH¢414,500.
Other categories of complaints including billing, quality of service, metering, payments, and unlawful disconnections reported by consumers for the first quarter were given the necessary attention and resolved to the satisfaction of the parties involved.
