The Minister of Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has issued a strong warning to state-owned institutions indebted to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), urging them to settle their outstanding debts or face disconnection.
This directive is part of efforts to address ECG’s financial difficulties and promote accountability in the management of state resources as reported by Ghana Web.
Jinapor’s statement comes at a time when ECG is embroiled in a controversy over missing containers at the Tema Port, raising concerns about corruption and mismanagement within the power sector.
Speaking in an interview with GHOne TV, he pointed out that various state institutions, including Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), have failed to meet their electricity bill obligations.
“A lot of the MMDAs are not paying. You, the ordinary Ghanaian, are paying, so MMDAs ought to pay as well. If they continue like this, we will cut their supply,” Jinapor emphasized.
One of the most notable defaulters is Ghana Water Company, which, according to Jinapor, has not made any payments despite generating revenue from water sales.
The Minister disclosed that he had written to President John Mahama regarding the matter, urging a review of Ghana Water’s procurement processes to enhance cost efficiency.
The warning extends beyond MMDAs and Ghana Water, as institutions such as Parliament and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) have also been cited for non-payment.
These organizations will be required to present concrete payment plans to prevent disruptions in their electricity supply.
The Minister’s call for prompt payment underscores the broader issue of financial sustainability in Ghana’s energy sector.
If left unaddressed, the continuous defaulting by state institutions could have long-term repercussions on the country’s power supply and overall economic stability.
As the government seeks solutions, stakeholders in the energy sector will be closely monitoring the response of these institutions to Jinapor’s directive.
Ensuring timely payments and transparency in procurement processes could go a long way in stabilizing ECG’s operations and restoring public confidence in the management of Ghana’s power resources.