The Tema Region of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has retrieved a total amount of GHS1,794,352 from 40 (forty) identified businesses that were involved in illegal connections during 2018.

The amount represented 2.247Gwh of power and 80% of revenue collected.

These businesses, which were apprehended through assistance from the police, have been surcharged; some have made payment, some part-payment, while 19 cases are in court.

Speaking in an interview during a press soirée, the Managing Director of ECG Tema Region, Ing Joseph Forson said: “We have identified 40 businesses that were stealing electricity; they were apprehended with support from the police and surcharged”.

He assured that his outfit will collect all outstanding debts, adding they will not leave any stone unturned in reducing losses to the barest minimum.

Ing. Forson further assured the people of Tema that they will experience improved services this year, and a difference in their operations – especially when PDS takes over ECG.

These include improved service delivery, meeting customer demands, enhanced reliability, as well as bringing back 24-hour service delivery.

He revealed the region is confronted with challenges, and the greatest of them all is meter shortage.

The region was unable to meet demand in supplying meters to customers who applied for them and expressed hope that all will be sorted out soon.

Out of about 4,000 people who applied for separate meters, it was able to supply just over 1,000.

Revenue Protection Manager, Zita Kyei-Gyamfi, stated that a few weeks ago Tema New Town Community topped areas involved in illegal connections; but now Afienya, a community in the Ningo-Prampram district, is leading.

“This year we will audit the meters of all our customers; we have our work plan, and very soon you will hear from us.”

General Commercial Manager, Toporira Ali, noted the region has commenced its customer database update – which includes the collection of names, telephone contacts and email addresses in order to disseminate information to them.