The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has confiscated more than 300 electricity meters during a two-day dawn operation targeting illegal connections and power theft in the Tamale Metropolis.
The raids, which took place between 05:30 and 06:30, focused on the Kalpohin and Kukuo communities.
Speaking to JoyNews, NEDCo’s Corporate Communications Manager, Maxwell Kotoka, revealed that more than 300 residents were found bypassing their meters and engaging in various forms of power theft.
“What we have done in just two days, to go at the break of day between 5:30 and 6:30, and so far we have done only two communities. We have found more than 300 who are culpable, who have engaged in bypass, meter power theft,” he said.
NEDCo has previously disclosed that it loses about 46% of its electricity to theft, a situation that is severely affecting the company’s financial sustainability, especially in the Tamale Metropolis where illegal connections and meter tampering are rampant.
Mr Kotoka noted that the illegal bypasses have also resulted in significant damage to the meters, many of which are expensive smart meters.
“The sad part is that in the process they have damaged a good deal of these meters and the meters are pretty expensive. They are smart meters, and so when you destroy them like this, we the consumers are the very same people who will come and complain that when we ask for meters we don’t get,” he lamented.
He explained that the destruction of meters is hampering NEDCo’s ability to serve new customers, as replacement meters are being used to fix damaged ones instead of being distributed to applicants.
“Now look at the challenge we have. When we invest in meters and in two days, two communities can destroy in excess of 300 – when we bring the next set of meters we are compelled to replace the damaged meters instead of spreading them and making them available to new applicants,” he added.
Mr Kotoka linked the power theft to broader infrastructure challenges, noting that the government has invested in new transformers across the region. Seven new transformers were installed in the Tamale Metropolis, two in Kpandai, and one each in Kete Krachi and Bimbilla. Additionally, 11 transformers were replaced as part of the exercise.
“If the government invests in these and people steal power instead of paying, then it has consequences at the end,” he warned.
He stated that all individuals found culpable during the operation would face legal action.