By Benjamin Makafui Attipoe, Sogakope
A group calling itself the Concerned Citizens of Sogakope in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region has undertaken a two-hour massive demonstration on the principal streets of Sogakope, the district capital against the Sogakope Branch of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Limited.
The demonstrators raised twenty-one (21) concerns in their petition which, according to them, necessitated their action or the protest which began around the Sogakope Zongo area through the Police Station, Barrier, Traffic Light Roundabout and to Y-Junction before diverting their route straight to the ECG premises to present their petition.
The concerns of the Concerned Citizens included high electricity bills, abnormal and unexplained bills, unresolved issues arising from electricity billing and meter readings, delays in resolving customer complaints, inaccurate meter readings and delays in replacing faulty meters, unfair disconnection of power supply as well as unclear billing statements and charges without proper explanation.
The demonstrators, numbering between 150 and 200 residents and consumers of electricity in the district, carried several placards pouring out their frustrations. Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, ‘ECG is exploiting us’, ‘Stop the abnormal light bills now’, ’ECG must stop over-billing us now’ and ‘We need correct reading for every meter’. The protestors were clad in red and black attires, singing patriotic and other songs accompanied with a mobile spinning vehicle.
Some of the frustrated demonstrators told our newsteam that the deep-rooted exploitation by the ECG has been going on for the past nine (9) years, emphasizing that power consumers in the area cannot tolerate these inefficiencies again including poor customer service, frequent power fluctuations as well as the unannounced power outages popularly known as ‘Dumsor’ which has reared its ugly head again in recent times in the district.
They accused the ECG of using its meter reading and billing systems in the name of estimated bills to cheat and exploit the poor consumer. They wondered why electricity bills of Ghc150 to Ghc300 could suddenly skyrocket to reach alarming rates of between Ghc2,000 and Ghc4,000 with some domestic consumers receiving monthly bills hitting Ghc10,000 and over.
A spokesperson for the group, Mr. Bernard Cudjoe presented the petition to the Sogakope District Manager of the ECG, Mr. Mawunyo Kudzo Akwetey amidst heavy security presence in front of the ECG offices at Sogakope.
The petition had a ten-point demand from the concerned citizens and consumers of electricity in the area. They are timely communication on planned and unplanned outages, accurate billing based on actual meter readings, prompt resolution of customer complaints and billing disputes as well as fair and transparent electricity charges.
Mr. Cudjoe also called for faster replacement of faulty meters, improved customer service and accountability, prompt response to emergency faults and a fair disconnection and reconnection procedures.
The spokesperson also emphasized the need for clear and understandable billing statements as well as greater transparency and public education on ECG operations and charges.
The demonstration dubbed, ‘Say No to Abnormal Light Bills and Estimated Bills Demonstration’, was the first of its kind against a state agency like the ECG in the area in many years. It was totally peaceful without any incident. More than fifty (50) police personnel were deployed to provide protection and direction for the demonstrators to ensure law and order.
The police were described by many as professional and commended for their support and commitment to ensuring that the concerns of the concerned citizens were poured out as expected.
The organizers have given a three (3)-month ultimatum to the ECG to address their concerns, failure of which the group would hit the streets again harder and bigger.
