The recent arrest of a 40-year-old trader, Kofi Mensah, by the Amasaman Divisional Police Command has shed light on the serious issue of power theft and illegal reconnection to the national grid. This incident, involving the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Ltd., serves as a reminder of the potential dangers and technical challenges associated with unauthorized power connections.
According to Mr Kingsley Opoku, the ECG Amasaman District Manager, the illegal activity was discovered during a routine monitoring exercise in the "Nii Aryee" suburb of Pokuase. It was found that the customer in question had resorted to using an unauthorized meter that had been illegally relocated from another district. Despite being disconnected and directed to visit the ECG office to rectify the situation, the customer took matters into his own hands and reconnected himself to the grid without authorization.
The gravity of the situation became apparent when it was revealed that the customer had directly connected his premises to low voltage cables serving the community and had even extended this illegal supply to other customers in the area. Such actions not only posed a danger to those involved but also led to technical complications with the transformer serving the community.
The resistance shown by the suspect in the face of disconnection efforts necessitated police involvement to ensure compliance. Mr Emmanuel Akinie, the ECG Accra West General Manager, emphasized the potential hazards associated with tampering with the company's distribution network, including the risk of fire outbreaks and property damage.
It is crucial for customers to understand the ramifications of engaging in power theft and illegal connections. The ECG remains committed to identifying, penalizing, and prosecuting individuals involved in such activities that have a detrimental impact on the power system. The Accra West region, comprising eight operational districts, including Ablekuma, Achimota, Amasaman, Bortianor, Dansoman, Kaneshie, Korlebu, and Nsawam, stands as a testament to the ECG's ongoing efforts to maintain a secure and reliable power supply.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to legal and ethical practices in relation to power usage and distribution. The ECG urges all customers to refrain from engaging in any form of illegal activity that compromises the integrity of the power supply system.
-source GNA | curated by Aisha Yakubu | GhanaCrimes
