The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has cautioned the public against the purchase of fake and substandard electric meters that have been brought to its operational areas by some unscrupulous people.
According to NEDCo, the fake meters are brought from neighbouring countries like Togo and La Cote d’Ivoire.
Over 200 pieces of such substandard meters were confiscated on the Kenyase-Atronie road in the Sunyani metropolis during a snap inspection by the Ghana Police Service at a checkpoint.
“These meters are not tested and calibrated by NEDCo to meet the requirements set by regulatory bodies, such as the Energy Commission and the Ghana Standards Authority.
“They, therefore, pose dangers such as fire outbreaks as well as overloading of and damage to transformers, resulting in prolonged outages and increased distribution losses to NEDCo; the negative consequences touch both the consumer and NEDCo,” a statement, which was issued by NEDCo’s Communications Manager Maxwell Kotoka, said.
The statement reminded the general public that it is illegal for individuals and/or organisations to import meters into the country without necessary approvals from the Energy Commission and other regulatory bodies.
The statement added that it is also illegal for potential or existing electricity consumers to acquire meters from sources other than licensed distribution companies (i.e. NEDCo, ECG, etc).
“NEDCo will take all necessary legal actions against individuals and/or organisations engaged in the distribution (sale, purchase and transportation inclusive) of these fake meters.
“A special surprise operation will be rolled out soon to detect and arrest perpetrators and beneficiaries of the distribution of these fake meters.
“All those who have acquired these meters are advised to take them to the nearest NEDCo office to avoid arrests and prosecution,” the statement added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com