Tema ECG chases over 4000 power thieves

The Tema Regional branch of the Electricity Company of Ghana is pursuing about 4707 people for engaging in illegal power connection which runs into millions of cedis.

The activities of these electricity thieves has resulted to 1.7Gwh losses of power which translate to GHC2,297,796.50 as at July this year.

The Revenue Protection Manager at Tema ECG Zita Kyei Gyamfi who disclosed this to the media, said her outfit upon identifying such criminals quickly surcharged them and submitted letters to them accordingly.

She explained that her outfit has so far been able to recover GHC1.9 million out of the GHC2.3m which is the total figure of losses.

"Because of the good work we are doing, we have been able to identify this people and we are hoping to retrieve all the monies.

"Some of them have started paying and as I speak with you we have recovered GHC 1,974,493.63 representing 86% of the losses to illegal connection" she stated.

Touching on areas where illegal connection is on the rise , Zita Kyei Gyamfi mentioned Ashaiman, Tema Newtown, Atadeka as well as Mobole a village near Dodowa as places where illegal connections are mostly done.

She cautioned the public to desist from the practice, stressing that her outfit is now moving with the police to visit homes to inspect and arrest those who have tampered with ECG meters and also engaged in illegal connection.

The Tema Regional General Manager Mr Joseph who expressed concern over the illegal connection issue said effort are being made to intensify operations to deal ruthlessly with power stealers.

“As we intensify our operations to arrest the thieves, we will not stop hunting for the charlatans in our midst, who the public have always claimed, illegally connect them or illegally sell our meters to them,” he stated.

He craved the assistance of the public to volunteer information to the ECG or police, whenever a purported person from the power company tampers with or illegally sells a meter to them.

Lastly, he requested the public to assist the Company arrest people who steal their cables.