The Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA) is blaming the unavailability of energy meters, poor data and network systems, as well as materials shortages within the ECG operational regions as factors contributing to illegal meter business in the West African nation.
A statement released recently by the GECA lamented that Ghana’s utility services are already saddled with a lot of technical and commercial losses, adding that the least they can do as third-party contractors is to help reduce these losses as much as possible.
The group observed the lack of effective communication from the ECG management on the aforementioned is making contractors and service applicants desperate and, therefore, contributing to the rise in illegal service connections in the country.
“GECA finds the actions of these individuals very worrying and wishes to state that illegal service acquisition and energy theft should not have a place in the economic development of Ghana,” stated GECA.
The leadership of the group is encouraging the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to use every available legal means to ensure a successful prosecution of any person involved in illegal power activity in the country.
“GECA is against any form of illegal activity and hereby admonishes electrical contractors in the country to desist from any form of illegal practice that worsens Ghana’s electricity challenges and tarnishes the hard-earned reputation of the entire electricity fraternity.”
Furthermore, GECA leadership at regional and district levels have been tasked to report any suspected illegal practices to the appropriate offices and ensure that due action is taken, adding that the group would not hesitate to punish any of its members found culpable of an illegal activity.
GECA’s leadership seized the opportunity to encourage ECG management to take immediate steps to ensure that the challenges customers face during service applications and connections are urgently addressed.
GECA expressed confidence that if these measures are taken, it would reduce the worrying practices in illegal connections and extortions within the ECG operational areas to improve the country.
“We encourage the ECG to use every available legal means to ensure successful prosecutions of any persons involved in illegal power activity in Ghana,” the group said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com