The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has called on the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company to do extensive education on the harmful effects of illegal connections to stop the practice.

Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, Director of Public Relations and External Relations of PURC, who made the call at a media forum in Tamale, said illegal connections were not safe and could cause death of those involved through electrocution.

The forum, organized by PURC for media practitioners drawn from Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, was to discuss issues about energy and the interventions being made to resolve the energy crisis the country was experiencing.

Nana Yaa Jantuah said the practice also deprived utility providers of the requisite revenue to undertake the needed investment to ensure the production of adequate energy for the populace.

She said illegal connections had been increasing across the country adding, those engaged in the practice would be made to face the full rigours of the law when caught.

She also charged the utility providers to swiftly respond to complaints of consumers to maintain a healthy relationship between them.