CABLE THEFT HAMPERING PROGRESS OF GT IN UE (PAGE 32)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga

THE Upper East Regional Manager of Ghana Telecom (GT), Mr Eric Asante, has identified cable theft and difficulties in the payment of bills by customers as some of the major challenges facing the company.
He has, therefore, advised customers of the company to be watchful and report people who would attempt to cheat the system to the company or the police for punitive action to be taken against them.
Mr Asante said this at a town hall meeting the company held at Navrongo in the Kassena Nankana District.
The meeting served as a platform for customers to interact with the management of the company and afford them the opportunity to air their views and grievances on the performance of the company.
Mr Asante noted with concern that for 2007, cable theft alone cost GT GH¢460 million, stressing that the practice created a lot of inconveniences for customers.
Responding to the concerns raised by the customers, Mr Asante said a new network of cables had been laid in the Navrongo exchange into which all existing customers would be transferred to improve on the fixed line service.
He added that the management was also working around the clock to extend broadband service to the Navrongo area to enable the people to have easy assess to the Internet.
Mr Asante further stated that efforts were being been made to rehabilitate all broken-down pay phones for people to have easy assess to communication facilities.
The Regional Corporate Affairs Manager of GT, Mr Gordon Wellu, said the management was committed to the improvement of GT network in the region.