President Mahama directs installation of prepaid meters in ministerial bungalows

President John Dramani Mahama has directed that prepaid meters be installed in the official residence of all Ministers and Presidential Staffers.

All members of the executive shall also be responsible for the payment of their utility bills.

A statement signed by the Minister for Information and Media Relations, Mahama Ayariga, said the directive was issued at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, when the President realised that “there was some confusion in the policy covering the payment of utility bills by Ministers.

While utility bills of some Ministers are being paid by their sector Ministries, others are paying the bills themselves.

As part of the President’s directive, arrears of bills prior to the appointee moving into residence would be debited to the various ministries before the prepaid meters installed.

The directive, according to Mr Ayariga, would help improve the financial health of the utility companies and reduce the huge debts owed them by government.

It is expected that the 2014 budget will extend the measure to cover other categories of senior public servants.

Source: GNA