PURC engages stakeholders in upper east region on water and electricity challenges
The engagement brought together key utility providers, including the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL), as part of PURC’s nationwide agenda to enhance collaboration with stakeholders and ensure efficient utility service delivery.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has held a high-level stakeholder engagement in the Upper East Region to tackle critical challenges facing water and electricity consumers, with a strong focus on improving service delivery and consumer satisfaction.
Held on July 17, the engagement brought together key utility providers, including the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL), as part of PURC’s nationwide agenda to enhance collaboration with stakeholders and ensure efficient utility service delivery.
Speaking to Journalists after the engagement, Ing. Eric Boahen, the Upper East Regional Area Manager of NEDCo, outlined two pressing challenges affecting the company’s operations: revenue mobilisation difficulties in conflict-prone areas and rampant power theft.
“In Bawku we highlighted it, but it is not only Bawku where we face these issues. There are other areas which are not conflict zones, yet power theft remains a problem. For instance, in Navrongo, people engage in dry season farming and tend to steal power during that period.” Ing. Boahen said.
Yaa Frimpomaa Ofori Mensah, the Upper East Regional Chief Manager of Ghana Water Water Limited, shared notable progress made in the region, including the successful repair of multiple leakages, which has significantly reduced non-revenue water.
“We have managed to reduce the best in leakages and by doing so, we have reduced the non-revenue water,” she noted.
She, however, expressed concern over the ongoing fluoride contamination in the Bongo area, currently under the Community Water and Sanitation Agency. She revealed that GWL is prepared to supply treated water to Bongo once an agreement is finalized with PURC.
“Presently, Bongo is under Community Water, but we have water to supply at a realistic rate given by the PURC. Once the agreement is reached, we will be able to supply treated water to Bongo,” she assured.
Responding to the concerns raised, Acting Executive Secretary of PURC, Alhaji Shafic Suleman, called for stronger integration between utility agencies to ensure seamless service delivery. Specifically, he proposed merging the operations of Ghana Water Limited and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to address the Bongo water crisis.
“We have already discussed the solution, and the biggest is to integrate community water and Ghana Water and possibly extend the distribution networks,” he said.
Alhaji Suleman also encouraged NEDCo to officially communicate the cost of electricity supplied to conflict affected areas to PURC. He indicated that PURC is willing to coordinate with National Security to help cover those costs.
“NEDCo can scale out the conflict area and we will write officially to National Security the cost of energy that is being billed to NEDCo Bolga Upper East. We can isolate the cost, take it out, and have it absorbed by National Security.” he explained.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Alexander Kubabom
