There was a standoff at Koblimahagu in the Tamale Metropolis Friday morning (March 25, 2022) when workers of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) went into the community with armed police personnel and military to install the smart meters before restoring power to the area.
However, this was resisted by members of the community resulting to deadlock between the security and the inhabitants.
According to the disgruntled community, the utility provider has failed to adhere to the instructions of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, PURC.
Karim Abdul Rahaman, one of the residents, in an interview told THE Custodian, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission directed NEDCo to first restore power to the community and subsequently hold community engagement and sensitization before the smart meter installation exercise.
“Just this morning when we contacted the security on the grounds, they told us that the command gave them directives to accompany VRA to this community to install the new meters. When we explained this to the security men, they said they’re not privy to this information”.
“So we want to tell the whole world the barbaric activities, the uncouth, the immoral, the inhumane practices that have been meted to the people of Koblimahagu – all the gathering here, we have come to register our displeasure; as you can remember, several government officials including the Regional Minister asked VRA to restore electricity back and they refused” he asserted.
He further invited the sector ministry to intervene in the matter. He lamented the community has been in darkness in the past eighteen (18) days and this has grounded socioeconomic activities to a halt.
(…And if you remember or if you care to know, this particular incident was caused by a single house, just two gentlemen – they’re tenants and they have ran away, now the whole is tasked to get these people, we’ve agreed then they asked if we would guarantee the safety of VRA workers, then we’ve done that, so what at all do they want” he queried.
Maxwell Kotoka must go
Meanwhile, the community has demanded the dismissal of the Head of Corporate Communication of NEDco, Maxwell Kotoka, who they alleged has disrespected the Chiefs and people of Northern region.
Mr. Karim maintained the utterances of the NEDCo Corporate Communication Manager have misled the Northern Regional Minister, the state security and the entire populace in the region.
“What I want to say is that, when this matter is resolved, we’re going to organized a demonstration and call for the removal of Mr Kotoka Maxwell. He must leave northern region, indeed he has disrespected Nyab Lamashe Naa and Nyab Wurishie Naa” he emphasized.
The Assemblyman the area, Mohammed Ahmed Babamu for his part said the community is opposing to the installation of the meters but urged management of the electricity distribution company to comply with the directives of PURC.
“But NEDCo coming in to install as a means of their own willing or by force is not an orderly manner. So they should try as much as possible to listen to PURC to restore the power before coming to install the meters” he stressed.
