The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), in collaboration with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL), has launched a sensitization programme under the “Tamale in Focus” project aimed at addressing the challenges facing public utility service delivery in the Northern Region.
Speaking at the launch in Tamale, the Northern Regional Manager of PURC, Ali Simon Jarana, expressed deep concern over the increasing debt owed to utility providers, warning that the situation has reached unsustainable levels.
“If this trend continues, the utility companies risk collapsing under the weight of these debts,” he cautioned.
The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. John Ali Adolf, also echoed these concerns, lamenting the huge losses incurred by utility companies due to illegal connections and unpaid bills.
“These illegal acts are bleeding the utility providers dry. I urge all consumers, both individuals and institutions, to desist from such practices,” he stated.
Hon. Adolf, while urging NEDCo and GWL to improve internal systems and accountability, commended PURC for its commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring quality service delivery.
“I understand that PURC received 319 complaints in the first quarter of 2025, and impressively resolved 93.56% of them. I commend the Commission and urge it to do even better in the coming months,” he added.
He further appealed to both public and private institutions with outstanding bills to urgently arrange repayment plans, warning that continued financial strain could cripple the only public utility providers in the region.
Also addressing the gathering, Madam Neena Mohammed, Non-Revenue Water Officer at GWL, revealed that the company lost over GHS 88 million between January 2024 and May 2025 due to revenue leakages.
“These losses have significantly impacted our ability to deliver reliable water services to the people of Tamale,” she noted.
Lng. Elvis Demugakor, Area Manager for NEDCo, disclosed that the company recorded substantial power losses in the region.
“From January to date, we procured about GHS 370 million worth of power but lost nearly GHS 195 million in Tamale alone. When combined with Yendi, losses from these two areas represent 96% of our total energy losses,” he revealed.
He warned that continued losses of this scale threaten the sustainability of electricity supply in the region, as the company struggles to mobilize enough revenue to pay for power.
The “Tamale in Focus” initiative seeks to create awareness and foster collaboration between utility providers and the public to reduce system losses, improve service delivery, and ensure the long-term sustainability of power and water services in the Northern Region.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku
