The Ghana Water Company Limited has said all customers who owe will not benefit from the government’s announced free water supply.
The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Clifford Braimah, also said those who have been disconnected will not be reconnected until they pay their bills.
“The people who are owing us, we expect that they pay before they get free water. Somebody said those of them who have been disconnected, we have to connect them so that they will benefit from the three months [free water service].
“I said the President is not telling me to give free water to those who are not connected because the president is not paying for January or February. And so those owing will have to pay,” he told Accra-based Citi FM.
President Akufo-Addo on Sunday announced that for the next three months Ghanaians will not be paying water bills as part of measures by his government to alleviate their plight brought about by the COVID-19 lockdown.
He said the water bills for April, May and June have been absorbed by the government.
He added that water tankers – publicly and privately – will also be instructed to provide water to all vulnerable Ghanaians in the lockdown areas.
Ghana Water Company Ltd and the Electricity Company of Ghana have been directed to ensure the stable supply of water and electricity during this period.
“In addition, there will be no disconnection of supply. Furthermore, the government will absorb the water bills for all Ghanaians for the next three months, ie, April, May, and June. All water tankers, publicly and privately-owned, are also going to be mobilized to ensure the supply of water to all vulnerable communities,” Akufo-Addo said.
He also indicated that arrangements were being made for communities that do not enjoy water supply to be served by water tankers.
Dr. Braimah said a meeting will be held later today to discuss the modalities involved in having water tankers supply water to communities not served by the Ghana Water Company Limited.
“There are some people in Accra who already do not have connection and we are setting aside tanker services to be able to attend to them. We will consider those who have been disconnected as those that are to benefit from the tanker service,” he said.
Many Ghanaians are expecting to benefit from the gesture which they believe will ease pressure on their finances especially as the announced partial lockdown and suspension of most businesses have affected their livelihoods.
The availability of water has become critical due to the need for regular handwashing as part of efforts to fight COVID-19 in Ghana.
