VRA retrieves GH¢50,000 from illegal connection

The Volta River Authority of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (VRA-NEDCO) has retrieved GH¢50,000 from illegal connections within the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region.

The revenue generated was the result of an exercise embarked on by management of the Authority within the last three months, during which more than 45 persons were arrested for engaging in illegal connections.

They were arraigned before the Tamale district court, where the perpetrators were compelled to pay back the power consumed with 50-unit fines each to the court as a deterrent to prevent others from engaging in similar activities.

Head of Public and Community Relations of VRA/NEDco Mr. Alaasan Abaaba, in an interview with the B&FT, expressed dissatisfaction with the high rate of illegal electricity connections in the Northern Region, which are affecting the company’s operations as a result of revenue loss.

"In view of this, the various transformers in the region have been breaking down -- compelling management to spend huge sums of money to repair or change them,” he added.

It has made it difficult for management to serve customers well because the few engineers around have to struggle daily to ensure the various transformers and substations are in order.

He said such illegal connections also pose a serious threat to the people, and advised the public to report such activities.

"Our business is under threat; if within the Tamale metropolis - not the entire metropolis, just a few sections - people have stolen power to this tune, in no time we will go out of business,’’ he lamented.

He indicated checks in some houses saw illegal wiring, where most of the heavy gadgets were not connected to the main meter line.