The leaders of various Staff Groups of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) of the Volta River Authority (VRA) have announced the withdrawal of its services with immediate effect in the Tamale metropolis.
The resolution according to a letter cited by THE CUSTODIAN has become necessary in view of the recent attacks and vandalization of the Tamale Northern Area Office and other private vehicles by some irate youth in Tamale and its environs last Saturday (25 September, 2021).
The Senior Staff Association of NEDCo branch of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) recalled several of such attacks on staff and property of VRA/NEDCo have occurred within the Tamale Metropolis in recent years.
The letter signed by William K. Asare, Chairman of the Senior Staff Association and Abass ZAkaria, Union Chairman in Tamale recounted an assault on the staff at Lamakara in 2016, an assault on staff and the deflation of company vehicle tyres at Dohinayili in 2017, an attack and vandalization of VRA/NEDCo office by some youth in 2015 and another assault on VRA/NEDCo on official assignment to disconnect some streets lights installed illegally at Vittin in 2019.
Following the unfortunate assault on some its customers by police personnel in the company of VRA/NEDCo staff during a routine monitoring activities, the union workers alleged there have been several threats in the form of viral videos and audios issued by a section of the youth in Tamale against staff and property of VRA/NEDCo.
Therefore, the Senior Staff Association has demanded the arrest of the perpetrators of the attack and vandalization to face the full rigors of the law. They added the organisers of the demonstration must be held responsible for the damage caused to VRA/NEDCo and private properties and made to pay the full cost repairs.
The emphasized adequate security must be provided for the Revenue Mobilization Task Force to enable it execute its mandate and that, the residents of Tamale must allow VRA/NEDCo to continue with the installation of the Smart Split Prepaid Meters.
THE CUSTODIAN has gathered that the power distribution company is losing GHS4.8 million representing 45% of the power sales monthly in Tamale alone largely attributed to power theft.
