NEDCo Loses Revenue To Illegal Electricity Connection

Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), a subsidiary of Volta River Authority (VRA), is losing huge revenue as a result of increasing illegal electricity connection and power theft.

About seven communities in Tamale metropolis, Today learnt, were alleged to have engaged in the illegal act.

Residents in nearby communities in which the survey was carried, (names withheld) complained of over-billing, and recent adjustment of the prepaid meters.

This paper can also report that most of the illegal connections were done in the night, whiles meters were kept under key and lock.

The survey also discovered a number of hazardous connections that could easily ignite fire with any slightest fault.

Today further learnt that the most culprits of the offence were operators of night clubs, welders, washing bay, private schools, hotels, movie centres, restaurants, barbering and hair salons.

Their modus of operandi, Today was told by a source close to NEDCo that they usually use flexible wire to take power from metres to their various shops without the knowledge of NEDCo.

The source alleged further that this unlawful act was done mostly in connivance with workers of NEDCo.

Meanwhile a resident of Sakasaka, Yusif Habib, has accused NEDCo of manipulating the distribution of the prepaid meters in the Northern region.

He intimated that the recent adjustment of metres by NEDCo without the public knowledge was a clear indication to over bill consumers.

Madam Comfort Aboagye of Vittin Electoral Area in Tamale revealed that she could first use GHC50.00 of pre-paid credit for a month, but ever since the new meters were installed, “I’m unable to cover one month with the same amount of money”.

The residents however attributed the recent upsurge in the illegal electricity connection in the region to high electricity tariffs.

Prior to the replacement of new metres, residents of Tamale and the adjoining communities protested against it, claiming were the over-billing types.