Residents of the Volta Region have been denied access to broadcast services of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), since Thursday, September 3.
This is because the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has cut supply to the towers, which transmit signals for the state broadcaster.
GTV is the only easily accessible free to air TV channel in the region, and its radio signal; the only that transmits across the Volta Region.
[contextly_sidebar id=”iFok9WJXGMTU43kOtMjloSzbW05zkOEB”]The disconnection of GBC’s tower is part of an ongoing exercise by management of ECG in the region to retrieve all monies owed the company by defaulters.
Last week, the electricity service provider issued final demand notices to some high defaulting individuals and state owned enterprises, threatening to sue or disconnect them if they failed to settle all outstanding debts.
The Volta Regional Commercial Manager of ECG, Sylvester Abrefa-Besea, said the company is concerned about the discomfort of disconnecting companies but it is left with no other option.
“GBC in the Volta Region alone owes ECG over seven hundred thousand Ghana Cedis (700,000.00); we cannot stay aloof and watch this debt increase while there is no concrete commitment to pay. We have an open door policy and will be glad to dialogue and agree on a payment plan with all our debtors to ensure that debts are paid in full”, he said.
Aside GBC, other state owned enterprises whose electricity services were also disconnected include the NADMO Regional Office which owes about Gh¢ 6,000; some health and educational institutions.
Some defaulting telecommunication companies whose cell sites were disconnected include Tigo which owes approximately GH¢ 250,000: Airtel which owes about GH¢ 127,000.00, and Glo which owes about GH¢ 112,000.00.
The General Manager of ECG in the Volta Region, Ing. Joseph Mensah Forson decried the negative impact that the continued indebtedness of institutions and individuals is having on ECG’s operations.
He indicated that the campaign to disconnect high defaulters in the region would continue in earnest.
Ing Forson revealed a new phase of the campaign, which will target customers who are illegally tapping power from ECG.
“Our men will be out there, we will surely fish out all such miscreants, surcharge them for the illegal use of power and prosecute them as well” he said.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/Citifmonline.com/Ghana