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Two business entities in the Cape Coast metropolis have been surcharged by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for illegal connection and by-passing of meters at their premises thereby depriving the company of the needed revenue.

The two are Community Gardena, which is to pay GH¢13,810.60 while Nii Dodoo Boutique pays GH¢5,434.49.

The management of Central Regional office of ECG yesterday lodged a formal complaint about the acts at the Kotokuraba Police Station in the presence of managers of the two entities.

Briefing The Ghanaian Times yesterday, the Central Regional Public Relations Officer of ECG, Isaac Nurris Ainooson, said the two institutions were arrested over the weekend during a night routine check in the metropolis.

He said the check followed a tip off about a number of illegal connections in the area, particularly during the night, as personnel of the company’s Loss Control Unit said their routine duties happened only in the day.

He said as a result of the illegal connection and by-passing of meters, the company continued to incur some losses and added that the exercise would be sustained to ensure that residents and institutions adhered to the laid down regulations.

Mr. Ainooson pointed out the amount expected to be paid by the two institutions was based on their monthly consumption levels and the equipment that did not pass through the meter.

He said the ECG management would ensure the prosecution of individuals and institutions found to have connected power illegally.

The acting Regional Commercial Manager of ECG, Emmanuel Dadzie, said a team had been established by management to check illegal connections and meter by-passing by residents and institutions in the Cape Coast metropolis.

He said the institution of the night routine check was as a result of an increase in the number of reported cases of illegal power connection and meter by-passing in the area.

He urged the public to cooperate with the company in addressing the issue by reporting anyone engaged in such an act.