COVID-19: Customers owing GWCL will enjoy free water – Minister clarifies

The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has said that persons owing the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) would enjoy government's free water initiative for the next three months.

Her statement follows an earlier statement made by the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr Clifford Braimah, that customers who have defaulted in the payment of their water bills would not enjoy the government’s announced free water supply. 

Mr Braimah in an interview on Accra-based radio station, Citi FM, on Monday, that all customers whose lines had been disconnected for non-payment of bills would not also be reconnected.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, Ms Dapaah said the GWCL had been directed to put on hold old bills.

She added that customers whose lines had been disconnected would be supplied water by tankers.

"Arrears will be kept as arrears, but those who owe will enjoy water for April, May and June. So there shouldn't be any alarm. The arrears are on hold," she said. 

"Tanker drivers, I had a meeting with them, they will work and government will absorb all their expenses," she added.

Ms Dapaah also urged landlords to desist from charging tenants for water usage within the three months.

"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 said.

She added that customers in peri-urban areas, as well as those using tokens and pre-paid meters would have constant supply of water.