AVRL issues ultimatum to debtors

Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL), on Sunday asked its debtors to settle their arrears or they would be disconnected and prosecuted. A statement signed by Mr. Stanley Martey, External Communications Manager of AVRL, said "customers who have not yet paid their bills this month and those who owe the company for several months are to pay their bills to avoid any disconnection or prosecution during the yuletide." The ultimatum came in the wake of increased criticism, from government and civil society actors, over the past three years of its services and operation of urban water system for and on behalf of Ghana Water Company Limited. The statement said AVRL had embarked on a massive revenue mobilisation to recover all arrears owed the company. "Management of AVRL will want the general public to know that it has GH�20 reward for all who divulge information on unscrupulous and anti-social citizens who indulge in malpractices like illegal connections, self reconnection, the use of in-line suction pumps.", it said. The statement said AVRL had established a call centre and introduced a Toll Free number (080040000 from only Vodafone mobile and fixed lines) for customers to report all malpractices against the company and to make enquiries and complaints.