Residents of Nungua, Teshie and La hits streets on June 23

Residents of Nungua, Teshie and Labadi in the Greater Accra are preparing feverishly to embark on a massive demonstration on Tuesday, June 23, 2016 against the installation of what they described as “horse” meters installed in the three communities by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The residents who are mostly fisher folks claimed the dial of the meters run very faster like a horse thus making them to spend more on electricity consumption than as usual.

Addressing a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s demonstration, Chairman of Nungua, Teshie and La residents (NUTELA), Nicholas Nii Borlabi, said they are expecting over 3,000 residents to participate in the demonstration.

He noted the recent hikes in utility tariffs coupled with high unemployment situation in the country has brought has brought untold economic hardships on them.

Nii Borlabi, who accused government of making them poorer than they were before said most of the cold store operators in the communities have abandoned their businesses because of high utility tariffs.

“People are getting poorer because their electricity bill is more than their house rent. People are getting poorer because customers are not buying their products. People are getting poorer because their children school fees are more than their yearly income. People are getting poorer because the hospital bill alone is suffocating,” he said.

“Irregular supply of pre-mix fuel, activities of pair trawlers, unsafe landing beaches and a general increase in cost of fishing inputs have made many in the industry take on heavy debt burden,” he added.

He also accused President Mahama for failing to fulfill all the promises he made to them during the 2012 electioneering campaign.

“Where are all the promises President Mahama made to our communities? he asked.

Low quality meters

Nii Borlabi expressed disgust at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for installing what he described as low quality meters in the communities.

According to him, most of the meters were getting burnt because of its low quality.

“We live in a community where our electricity meters are placed outside of our houses. We can’t upload credit when it’s raining. We can’t even upload credit at night. This is total disrespect to our safety.”

Story By: Michael Creg Afful

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