THE rampant stealing of overhead copper wires and illegal power connections in the Tamale metropolis are major sources of worry to the management of the Volta River Authority/Northern Electrification Department (VRA-NED).
Figures at the VRA-NED indicate that 7,150 metres of copper wire, valued at GH¢15,000, was stolen in August 2008 alone. Additionally, between 100 and 250 cases of suspected illegal connections which occur every month in the VRA-NED operational areas has been identified by the company as a critical issue that needs urgent attention.
While the VRA blames some residents for those unfortunate developments, residents have also put the blame at the doorstep of the VRA.
Some residents, including the owner of a barbering shop in the central business district, for instance, told the Daily Graphic that they had been victims of such negative practices which had affected their businesses and damaged their home appliances.
They claimed that they had no power supply for almost two weeks due to the stealing of the wires that connected them to the mains.
According to them, they suspected that those acts were carried out with the collaboration of some VRA staff and, therefore, entreated the company to conduct proper investigations into the negative practices and prosecute the perpetrators.
The Northern Area Manager of the VRA-NED, Mr Bukari Danladi, narrated a litany of challenges facing his outfit when a delegation from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), led by its Chairman, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, recently paid a working visit to Tamale.
He expressed regret at the alleged assault on a member of staff of the VRA by some residents during power outages and meter-reading exercises in the metropolis.
He further explained that three cases of assault against VRA-NED members of staff were currently before court.
“Service transfer between phases are very rampant in suburbs, while the non-payment of bills by customers for the past one year is also affecting our operations,” the manager pointed out.
Mr Danladi said some recalcitrant customers used a system known as “U-Touch”, whereby they used U-shaped wires to illegally connect power on prepaid meters as a way of enjoying power directly without paying for it.
“We also have the problem of illegal extensions and movement of prepaid meters, as well as overwhelming requests for separate meters, which are normally illegally transferred after acquisition,” he stated with regret.
He intimated that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) owed 42 per cent of the total outstanding bills of about GH¢14,614,375.
The manager said monthly billed revenue stood at GH¢1,515,214, with a customer population of 73,000.
It is heart-warming to note that the management of the VRA has made some recommendations to the PURC, which include the intensification of public education on power theft, payment of bills and assault of the staff of utility companies.
Another suggestion made was a review of the legislation on providing power supply to new customers in compound houses when there were existing arrears from the parent meters.
Mr Danladi urged the PURC to collaborate with the various utility providers to intensify education on the need for attitudinal change among residents.
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