The Northern sector manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited(GWCL), Mr. Stephen Amihere Mensah, has revealed that customers in the Northern and Savannah regions owe the company GH¢45.5 million in unpaid water supply arrears.
According to the manager, debt pertains solely to domestic customers, as the government currently has no outstanding arrears with the company.
Of the total amount, he indicated that over GH¢7 million is owed in standpipe arrears alone.
Meanwhile, GWCL management has announced a revenue mobilization exercise to recover the outstanding amounts, set to run from November 1 to December 31, 2024.
“We have to chase our customers for our monies. Because as we speak, the government has paid all arrears that were owed by other institutions.
“Currently, only our domestic customers or residential customers owe GH¢45.5 million, which is only in the northern and savannah regions. What is even striking is that standpipes that are supposed to be cash and carry our customers owe us over GH¢7 million.
“If we don’t organise ourselves to collect our money, we will not be able to pay our suppliers,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chief Manager of the company in the Western Region, Nana Yaw Barima Barnie, has also disclosed that residents of Sekondi-Takoradi owe over GH₵23 million.
According to him, the huge debt is affecting operations, preventing the company from regular water supply.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Barnie announced that the Ghana Water Company Limited is initiating a revenue mobilization campaign aimed at recovering the outstanding GH₵ 23 million.
He added that the initiative is crucial for sustaining the company’s water supply operations in the region.
“Currently, Ghana Water Company has a big issue of arrears owed by customers. Countrywide, we are owed more than GHS800 million and when you come to Western Region alone, the arrears are more than GHS23millions and that is a big problem for us,” he said.
Mr. Barnie highlighted that the non-payment of bills negatively impacts operational strength, as the organization relies on imported inputs for water treatment.