Unionised workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) to withdraw its directive for the suspension of the electricity billing software.

According to the workers, the directive has worsened the mood of customers, some of who physically assault the staff when they report complaints at the district offices.

The PURC last month, instructed the ECG to suspend the software blaming astronomical bills of post-paid customers on the software.

Some consumers say they now pay twice as much as they paid for the same quantity of power consumed.

But at a press conference Monday, General Secretary of the Public Utility Workers Union, Ato Bondzie Quaye said the workers will embark on a massive strike if the directive stands.

The workers believe there is nothing wrong with the software.

The Power Ministry has set up a special taskforce to run tests on ECG meters (both the old and new ones) to determine their suitability. 

The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) had warned that implementing the directive could be chaotic. Should the new software be suspended, the old one would have to be re-installed.

On the other hand, it may have to freeze billing while rectifying problems with the new software. But a freeze will cut power to many homes, the ECG has explained.