The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has revealed that government spends an average of ₵60 million to pay for the free water supplied to citizens each month.

Public Relations Manager for GWCL, Stanley Martey made this revelation on Joy FM’s NewsNite, when he confirmed President Akufo-Addo's extension of free water supply until December 2020.

According to him, the decision of the government will not only help Ghanaians lessen the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it will also lift the burden on GWCL to pursue its customers to pay their bills.

“Averagely, it is around [government spend] GH₵60 million. You know when the programme started almost every month we had a higher consumption so putting it all together, we [GWCL] got that amount.

“And it is easier for us because when we supply the water to Ghanaians at the end of the month after we submit our bills, instead of chasing customers to pay our bills, government just pays it in bulk for us and that is it,” he said.

Mr Martey also revealed that government has been up-to-date with the payment for the free water.

Highlighting the processes, he said after the GWCL submits its bill, government does its due diligence then pays.

He then cited, “So for instance, after the consumption in April, we submitted real bills to government and after auditing and doing its diligence, and it was paid.

“Currently as we speak, we are even paying the June compensation to the water vendors and so for me it is up-to-date.”

The PRO urged citizens to appreciate the efforts of government adding that “we are not just supplying water to the people but then government is taking up the bill of our customers and paying.”

Already, GWCL has cautioned water vendors, landlords and landladies to desist from selling water to consumers during the period of free water supply.

According to them, it is wrong and illegal for any of them to sell water during the period.