The Ghana Water Company Limited says, it is ready to implement the vision of the President of the Republic,His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Government policy.
The President in his broadcast address to the Nation on updates on COVID-19 on Sunday, 5th April, 2020 did announce government decision to absorb three (3) month water bills of all Ghanaians.
This is to cushion Ghanaians as government puts in measures to fight the novel pandemic, Coronavirus.
To that effect, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has called on Ghanaians not to abuse this gesture by the President of the Republic, but be patriotic citizens.
In a press release issued and signed by the Head of the Public Relations & Communication Department, Mr. Stanley Mantey has outlined measures for the smooth implementation of this policy.
This measures, according to GWCL is to ensure that, Ghanaians appreciate the interventions of government in this trying times and crisis.
For smooth implementation of this policy, customers of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) on category 611 (domestic users) shall have their bills from April, May and June absorbed and paid by Government.
Furthermore, all stand-pipes shall be used to serve citizens for free and Government shall absorb the bill and pay commission/compensation to the vendors, hence, vendors are expected to still control the services to the public, but for free.
This action, according to them is to ensure the prudent use of water.
Touching on Landlords and landladies who sell water to tenants, it noted that tenants must be allowed to use the water for free from April, May and June.
In addition to that, Landlords and Landladies who sell water to other members of the community must register with the district offices of the GWCL to be eligible for commission/compensation.
However, GWCL disclosed that, all customers disconnected prior to the President’s announcement, are still liable and must pay their arrears to enable them enjoy the free water.
“If a customer is not in a position to pay arrears in full, such customer can negotiate with the District Offices and or Regional Offices, so as to be reconnected”, it acknowledged adding that, these cases will be treated on individual bases.
With regards to deprived communities, tanker services have been arranged to serve supply them with water through out the stimulated period, three (3) months.
Therefore, consumers in such communities must liaise with the Assembly members, who will request for the services of these tankers from the district offices of the institution, adding numbers for all district offices will soon be published in the media for easy access and communication.
Meanwhile, the Management of GWCL through the press release expressed its appreciation to the general public for supporting the institution in these trying times and wish to assure the general public that, the company is working assiduously to enable citizens have adequate supply especially for domestic use and to help all and sundry to observe the necessary protocols outlined by the President.
To help the company through this critical period, consumers are advised to strictly observe the following water conservation measures:
● Cease indiscriminate watering of lawns with treated water,
● Moderate the use of treated water for car washing through the use of buckets
Instead of hosing,
● shut all taps when not in use,
● Repair all leakages in your homes, like overflowing reservoirs and dripping taps, valves, etc
● Report all burst pipes and leakages immediately to the nearest GWCL district offices, Customer Service centres, Fault Offices.
● Report all persons engaged in illegal connections, by-passes, and all malpractices against GWCL to the nearest Police station or to the district offices.
“The general public can also call or GWCL whatsapp GWCL on these numbers; 0555123393, 0555155524, 0207385088, 0207385089, 0207385090”, the presser stated.
For burst of pipelines in our homes and communities, customers can include google locations, pictures and videos of the burs whiles the toll free line for the customer call center is 0800 40 000 for Vodafone cell and land lines only and 0302 218240 for all other networks.
To that effect, management of GWC assured the general public that it is doing its utmost best in this current situation and urged them to be patriotic citizens by desisting from Antisocial and unacceptable behaviors like the misuse of water as we see on social media, illegal connections, and by passes.
“Help GWCL to serve you better”, it stresses.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com/ Ishmael Barfj/ senghana@gmail.com
