Cape Coast, Aug 27, GNA - Mr Dauda Alhassan Jangu, the Central Regional Director of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has said the company's customers in the region currently owe it 30 billion cedis.

''This huge sum, which has locked up the company's finances, has made it imperative for ECG to embark on a mass disconnection exercise.'' Mr Jangu told journalists at Cape coast that illegal connection in the first quarter of the year cost the company more than 30 million cedis, while 33 of its meters have been stolen since the beginning of the year.

He said the company had put in place measures to stem such illegal activities, including rewarding people who volunteer information leading to the arrest of culprits.

Mr Jangu said the company has, since the beginning of the year, spent 3.8 billion cedis on the extension of electricity and the improvement of power supply to customers.

He also said the company spent 753 million cedis on equipment maintenance, mending of cut wires and clearing of bush along overhead lines.

Mr Jangu cautioned people who paste adverts and other notices on ECG equipment to stop or face prosecution.