General News of Saturday, 10 August 2019

Source: kasapafmonline.com

Bear with us; suspended PDS just working for 30-days – ECG

PDS has taken over operations again in the Power distribution sector PDS has taken over operations again in the Power distribution sector

The Electricity Company of Ghana has said Power Distribution Services is only providing retail sale operations in the interim on behalf of it (ECG) pending investigations into the concession agreement.

Critics have questioned the propriety of the said agreement on interim operational modalities between the suspended PDS and ECG when the President has justified the sanctions against the private sector operator.

But ECG in its explanation offered said, the overarching priority is to sustain power for Ghanaians asking the general public to bear with it in the decision to allow the suspended PDS take over electricity retail sale functions on its behalf.

“Don’t forget that this is only for one-month; an interim agreement for that matter and so if you rush to take a hardline position in this matter, it’ll frustrate operations in the power distribution sector, General Manager of ECG, Daniel Agyei Larbi told Kasapa 102.5 Fm.

Power Distribution Services(PDS) has taken over operations again in the Power distribution sector.

Barely a week ago, Board of the Energy Commission on the back of the suspension of the concession agreement appointed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as interim operators to take charge of the management and operations of electricity sales in the country.

The decision to reappoint ECG was based on the validity of the PDS licence becoming impaired due to certain events.

But a fresh joint Press Statement issued by the two entities on Thursday, August 08, 2019 said after ECG and PDS agreement on interim operational modalities, PDS will now act as the interim operator of the electricity retail sale functions on behalf of ECG in the Southern distribution zone.

“This is to ensure that there is no disruption of power supply and service delivery to our cherished customers,” a statement signed by Samuel Boakye-Appiah Managing Director, ECG, and Rev. Ing. William Hutton-Mensah Chief Executive Officer, PDS said.

This interim arrangement, according to the Statement is effective August 08, 2019 until the reversal or otherwise by the Energy Commission.



Core operation

All activities related to electricity retail sale including but not limited to:

Meter reading, Billing, Distribution of bills, Bill reconciliation, Revenue collection, New service connections, Disconnections and reconnections, Faulty meter replacements, Network faults and repairs, Complaints and fault reporting to the call centres. Any other related service.

In light of the above, all payments and other related activities shall continue to take place at: PDS Regional and District offices, PDS existing Customer Service Centres, PDS licensed vending stations, PDS operated Cash Points, Banks.

All cheques shall be issued in the name of “Power Distribution Services Ghana Limited”.