The Bono East Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has advised utility consumers to always ensure the use of standard materials in their preparedness to get service connections to their residences.

According to the Regional Manager, Mr. Cassiel Eghan Asiedu, substandard materials are rather costly with grave consequences, as such there is the need for consumers to opt for quality materials in electricity and its related services to safeguard lives and properties.

This advice comes during a recent public education program for consumers at Jema, in the Kintampo South District.

“We have witnessed many fire incidences which have destroyed lives and properties only to hear that the materials used were of inferior qualities.

Sometimes, some unscrupulous persons go around selling some unapproved materials to unsuspecting consumers and because they are cheap people end up buying them not looking at the challenges in the near future'' Mr. Asiedu said.

He also informed consumers to deal directly with the utility service providing companies and report to the Commission in case of challenges in the processes.

Speaking on the year 2025 under review, he revealed that the office was able to facilitate the passage of credit adjustments in the tune of GHS115,153.97 in favour of customers who reported anomalies in their electricity bills to the Commission.

He added that the Commission also facilitated the recovery of an amount of GHS21,991.47 in favour of Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).