The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has urged electricity and water consumers in the Ashanti Region to acquaint themselves with Regulation 27 of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2413, which outlines the obligations of utility service providers and the rights of consumers regarding defective or faulty meters.
According to the Commission, many consumers continue to suffer from excessive estimated bills, delays in meter replacement and unjustified charges because they are unaware of the legal protections available to them.
Addressing the issue, the Ashanti Regional Manager of the PURC, Mr. Edward Boduah, explained that the law requires every utility provider to investigate complaints relating to faulty or inaccurate meters within the stipulated period.
He stated that where investigations confirm that a meter is defective, the utility company is legally required to replace it within the approved timeframe.
Mr. Boduah, however, stressed that consumers who deliberately tamper with meters or cause damage through illegal connections or negligence would be held responsible for the cost of replacing the damaged meter.
“Regulation 27 of L.I. 2413 is intended to protect consumers from prolonged estimated billing and from paying for meters they did not damage, while discouraging meter tampering and abuse,” he said.
The Commission explained that the regulation places a clear responsibility on utility companies to promptly investigate complaints on the operation or accuracy of electricity, natural gas and water meters and replace faulty ones once defects are confirmed.
The PURC has therefore advised consumers who suspect their meters are faulty to immediately report the matter to their respective utility providers, obtain official acknowledgment of the complaint and demand that investigations and replacement be carried out within the prescribed period.
It further urged consumers to lodge complaints with the PURC Ashanti Regional Office if utility companies fail to respond appropriately or within the stipulated timeframe.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of consumers by ensuring that utility providers comply with the law and deliver safe, reliable and fairly billed electricity and water services across the Ashanti Region.
