The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Tema Region, has detected 6,491 cases of illegal connections in the last six months, the PRO of the company has told the media.
Out of the number discovered from September 2022 to February 2023, 1,555 of them were detected in February 2023 alone, the highest within the period.
Madam Sakyiwaa Mensah said the cost of the power thievery amounted to GH¢2,891,263.40, “however, we have been able to retrieve GH¢2,149,148.25.”
ECG Tema Region covers nine districts – North Tema, South Tema, Nungua, Afienya, Prampram, Ada, Krobo, Juapong and Ashaiman.
Madam Sakyiwaa Mensah said her outfit, through its Revenue Protection Unit, which handles these issues, detected the thievery through its routine meter monitoring to check the integrity of the meters.
She expressed the company’s worries about the increasing incidents of illegal connections, which are affecting the operations of the company, but was quick to say that ECG would stop at nothing to prosecute offenders.
She said, “ECG has the mandate to prosecute customers caught bypassing meters and those who fail to pay for power they consume would be charged with the offence of stealing.
“We, therefore, admonish customers to desist from all forms of illegal connection, which includes meter bypass, meter tampering and direct connection. Customers should please stay away from fidgeting with all ECG installations including meters.”
