Rampant theft of electrical fittings of streetlight in the Kumasi Metropolis in recent months is hampering the

streetlight rehabilitation programme of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).

For instance, over the past year streetlight fittings worth over 200 million cedis had been stolen in the various suburbs of Kumasi, and exerting pressure on the assembly's budget.

Mr Paul Boakye, Senior Electrical Superintendent of the KMA who made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) yesterday, described the situation as "alarming".

He named new Asokwa, Atonsu, Oforikrom and Ahensan Estates as suburbs where the theft of streetlight components was rampant.

Mr Boakye said as a result of the theft the assembly had to spend 60 million cedis to procure new electrical fittings for the streetlights at New Asokwa area alone.

"There have been several instances where the streetlights of a suburb have been rendered non-functional due to the theft of components such

as wires, switches, control cubicles, bulbs and even underground cables."

He said the expert manner in which the fittings were removed clearly indicated that those behind the thefts were qualified electricians.

While some of the fittings were stolen at night, Mr Boakye said, some were also removed clandestinely by people who posed as workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), undertaking routine repairs on the streetlights.

He therefore, appealed to residents, communities and neighbourhood watch committees, assembly and unit committee members to be vigilant.

"We must demand the identity card (ID card) of anybody seen tampering with streetlights so as to prevent unscrupulous persons from enriching themselves at the expense of the community."