The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has entreated assembly members in the Tamale metropolis, opinion leaders, the media and well-meaning citizens in the northern region to rise to the occasion and speak against persons engaged in unlawful connections to the national grid and power theft.
The utility regulator said it has come to its attention that some self-styled electricians in the Tamale metropolis are allegedly taking money from residents and unlawfully connecting them to the national grid.
The perpetrators enjoy the utility without paying a dime to the electricity distribution company responsible in the northern sector of the country.
The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) is reportedly losing some GHC8.4 million monthly through illegal connections or power theft in Tamale, which is about 45 percent of its revenue.
In order to clampdown the menace, the power distribution company introduced the smart meters in the area which has been greeted with fierce resistance in some communities.
In an exclusive interview, the PURC Northern Regional Manager, Mr. Edward Boduah said the unfortunate development is hugely affecting the service provider and hinder quality service delivery in the area.
“Something urgent needs to be done. The PURC is calling on all Assembly Members, opinion leaders, media practitioners, community folks, and well-meaning individuals to rise to the occasion to collectively voice out against these persons and their illegal activities. Let’s do this for the sake of the future of Tamale” he stated.
Mr. Edward Boduah indicated the situation has increased to the extent that almost every community in the metropolis has people using power without paying a dime for months and years now.
“It has come to the attention of the PURC that some self-style electricians are going around taking money from residents and helping them to steal power in the Tamale metropolis”, he pointed out.
