Government has resolved to give commissions and compensations to all LandLords who adhere to the directive of providing water at no cost to Ghanaians for the next three months.
According to the Ghana Water Company Limited, all Landlords and LandLadies who previously sold water to the wider community are also to register at the nearest district Ghana Water Company Office.
This latest action follows concerns by some Landlords who rely on the sale of the water to generate revenue for their upkeep.
In the same vein, persons who run or manage stand-pipes, community water systems are to allow consumers to have access to the water, free of charge but register at the district office of the GWCL for compensations at the end of the policy, in June.
The President in his 5th address to the nation acknowledged the importance of water within the period and the need to reduce the burden on households, many of whom’s sources of income has been adversely affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.
Following the concerns raised after the directive was issued, the Ghana Water Company has clarified that “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 is to ensure the prudent use of water.”
“Landlords and landladies who sell water to tenants must allow tenants to use the water for free from April, May, and June. 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.”
Notwithstanding the directive by the President, the GWCL has insisted that companies who had faulted in their payments and had their meters cut as a result will not benefit from the policy.
Despite this, the company indicated it is ready to engage affected persons on a case by case basis to reach a compromise so they can benefit from the policy.
Also, for communities without water, provisions will be made through tanker services.
As such, the Company says communities without the social amenity should inform their local authorities who are mandated to forward the notice to the district office for prompt action.
“All customers disconnected prior to the President’s announcement, are still liable and must pay their arrears to enable them to enjoy the free water. If a customer is not in a position to pay arrears in full, such customers can negotiate with the District Offices and or Regional Offices, to be reconnected. These cases will be treated on an individual basis.
“Tanker services have been arranged to serve deprived communities. Consumers in such communities must liaise with the Assembly members, who will request for the services of these tankers from our district offices. The numbers for all district offices of the GWCL will be published in the media,” the statement signed by the Communications Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited noted.
The fact that Government has decided to absorb the bills, the Company cautioned, should not be the basis for water to be wasted.
The GWCL reminded all to prudently use the resource and not abuse it because it is free for the next three months.
There have been over 370 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ghana with about 49 persons awaiting final tests to confirm their full recovery while 6 persons have lost their lives.
Credit: ABCNews
