GUYANA Water Inc.(GWI) has acquired a private contractor for the delivery of water service bills as part of its current Customer Services Improvement Programme, the company said in a release.
GWI Customer Services Manager, Jeannette Thomas stated that this is meant to correct the current challenges experienced by the company in delivering bills to customers via the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC).“Bill payment must be a priority for our customers. To ensure prompt delivery of bills GWI plans to implement a new system of using private bill delivery contractors which would also eliminate the possibility of bills being lost in the post,” the release quoted Thomas as saying.

She also explained that the new initiative is part of the overarching theme of enhancing customer services at GWI with the aim of encouraging customers to make prompt payments.

“Every effort is being made to encourage our customers to honour their payments,” stated the Customer Services Manager. “In 2013, we launched bill payment reminders via text messages and now our managers and team leaders are in the field meeting with our customers and learning about their challenges in making payments on time. This is also the reason why we have intensified promoting our Wallet-Friendly Payment Plan which allows customers to pay according to what they can afford in small, flexible payments.”

In addition, while GWI account holders currently receive quarterly service bills, the company has commenced plans to implement a new system of monthly meter readings and monthly delivery of bills by mid-year to provide more convenience for customers.

DISCONNECTION
GWI has assured that customers can expect prompt bill delivery by the second quarter of 2014, and the company is urging every account holder to ensure payment is made promptly as the ‘removal of service for non-payment’ campaign is expected to continue indefinitely.

The company said that due to non-response in 2013, it was forced to commence removing the entire service of customers who refused to contact the office or make any effort regarding payments. This exercise has intensified and customers are urged to query any outstanding service payments since they will be required to reapply for a new service if disconnected.