The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, says persons who have defaulted in paying their water bills would still enjoy three-month free water supply announced by the President.
Her statement follows an earlier statement made by the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr Clifford Braimah, that customers who have failed to make payment of their water bills will be exempted from government’s free water supply.
Mr Braimah in an interview on Accra-based radio station, Citi FM, on Monday, said that all customers whose lines had been disconnected for non-payment of bills would not also be reconnected.
But addressing the press on Tuesday, Ms Dapaah said all Ghanaians will enjoy the free water regardless of their debt to the GWCL.
“The arrears will be kept as arrears, but those who owe will enjoy [free] water for April, May and June so there shouldn’t be any alarm. The arrears are on hold,” she said.
The Minister added that customers whose lines had been disconnected would be supplied water by tankers.
"Tanker drivers, I had a meeting with them, they will work and government will absorb all their expenses.”
Ms Dapaah also urged landlords to desist from charging tenants for water usage within the three months.
“I know there are landlords who also charge tenants for water. With all due respect, the water should be given to all tenants free because the landlords will not be paying water bills for April, May and June,” she stated.
Akufo-Addo on free water for all for three months
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his fifth televised broadcast on measures taken by government to stem the spread of Coronavirus, announced a three-month relief package for all Ghanaian households.
He said government had absorbed the cost of water bills of all households for the next three months.
The initiative is part of government’s efforts aimed at reducing the financial burden of its citizens during the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has seen a lull in economic activities.
