Private legal practitioner and Energy Policy Expert, Lom Nuku Ahlijah, has called for improved accessibility to electricity meters to help reduce distribution losses and improve revenue mobilisation in Ghana’s energy sector.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Angel FM’s ‘Anɔpa Bofoɔ’ on Tuesday, November 3, he said the persistent shortage of electricity meters, despite the availability of data to guide procurement and future demand, was worrying.
Mr Ahlijah questioned why the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other utility providers continued to experience meter shortages despite having access to annual projections of electricity demand and population growth.
“I don’t even understand. Because we know the population growth. For example every year, energy commission requires all utilities to bring data. Including projections, demands and among others,” he stated.
According to him, utility companies are expected to plan ahead for the number of meters required to serve new customers, based on data submitted annually to the Energy Commission.
He explained that under the Public Procurement Act, procurement entities are also required to prepare annual procurement plans, making it possible for ECG to anticipate and provide for the needs of prospective customers.
Mr Ahlijah, however, expressed concern that consumers were still being told that meters were unavailable, alleging that the situation had created opportunities for some individuals to demand money before providing the devices.
“Every day, they are saying meters are not available. It has become like cocaine. Unless you pay some money before they find some for you,” he said.
He further noted that there were metering companies operating in Ghana that could support the procurement and supply of meters, making the continued shortages difficult to understand.
Mr Ahlijah stressed that the biggest challenge confronting Ghana’s energy sector was revenue collection, arguing that improving access to electricity meters would help address the problem.
He maintained that adequate planning and timely provision of meters were necessary to improve revenue collection and reduce losses within the energy sector.
Source: Abigail Ekua Arhin
