Workers of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) in the Republic of Ghana have suspended the withdrawal of their field services in Tamale and its environs for two weeks pending the resolutions of their grievances.
The suspension of the field services follows the intervention of the Executive Secretary of Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr Ishmael Ackah, and the Northern Regional Minister Shani Alhassan Saibu.
In a statement issued by Maxwell Kotoka, Corporate Communication Manager of NEDCo to announce the decision of the workers said the workers are demanding the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the machete attacks on the NEDCo team that was on official duty at Korblimahago on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
The staff also demanded the provision of military cover for their field operations, especially those that hinge on revenue collection and protection namely, disconnection, monitoring for power theft and Installation of Smart Pre-Payment meters.
The staff further demanded the deepening of ongoing community engagement aimed at community ownership of the security of NEDCo staff while they are on the field embarking on their legitimate duties.
The statement said while Management wished to assure the general public that it would not rest on its oars in getting the suspension converted to permanent closure, “we wish to court public support and protection of NEDCo staff while they are about their legitimate field duties.
“The cardinal part of NEDCo staff field operations is to prevent or arrest power theft and installation of Smart Pre-Payment meters which has proven to be less susceptible to manipulation and power theft.
“We need your unflinching support to continue to serve you dutifully and in harmony,” NEDCo Management urged Tamale residents.
The statement commended the efforts of all those who contributed to the resolution of the impasse.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com