ECG reports more than 21.5 million GH ¢ of illegal electricity connections

ECG reports more than 21.5 million GH ¢ of illegal electricity connections

The Ghana Electricity Company (ECG) has recovered more than 21.5 million GH ¢ from private individuals and companies who had illegally connected electricity to their premises in the region. Ashanti in 2018.

The amount covered 17.75 million KWh of stolen electricity.

Useful links Ghana Politics | Ghana celebrity news | News in Ghana

In addition to the funds recovered, approximately 7 million GH ¢ were still to be paid to the ECG by other people also trapped in illegal connections.

In an interview, Mr. Erastus Kyere Baidoo, Regional Head of ECG Communications for the ECG, said last year that the company had engaged in a broad-based exercise of protection income in order to rid the system of illegal connections and seal all loopholes that have resulted in lost revenues.

He added that thanks to this process, 21,515 million GH ¢ were recovered from people involved in illegal relations.

Ghana News Titles

For the latest news from Ghana, visit the Graphic Online titles page
Ghana news headlines.

Surcharge

Mr Baidoo said that those caught in the illegal act were overtaxed and forced to pay for electricity consumed before being reconnected to the network.

According to him, those who were not able to pay directly would have three months to pay for the stolen power.

For news from Ghana | Ghana Business News | News in Ghana

"You have to pay at least 75% of the penalty before you reconnect," he said.

Blanket

In all, the GEC examined 119,349 meters and detected a number of illegalities.

He added that if some customers had manipulated the meters, others had engaged in a "meter bypbad", in which customers connected their devices without consumption being recorded in the meter.

A total of 334 customers tampered with their meters, while another 338 bypbaded them.

Unauthorized service connection

Mr. Baidoo said that during the exercise, the team had recovered 10,142 unauthorized meters.

He explained that these meters were part of the Self Help Electricity Project (SHEP) but were located in areas outside the SHEP zones.

According to him, these meters being located outside their jurisdictions, their consumption was not captured by the system.

Way forward

Baidoo said the company would step up its public information activities on the consequences of illegal connections, including lawsuits and jail time.

He said the ECG was bringing its services to the door of its customers by opening more business centers to meet the demand of its customers.

According to him, as part of the measures to reduce the theft of electricity and the debt of customers, the company increased the replacement of postpaid meters by prepaid meters.

He urged all prospective GEC clients not to hesitate to contact the company to obtain his services and not to appeal to third parties.