Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 3 September 2024

Source: Michael Oberteye, Contributor

Thieves make away with Tema ECG transformer

The stolen transformer is estimated to cost around GH₵75,000 The stolen transformer is estimated to cost around GH₵75,000

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in Tema has lost a transformer to thieves who vandalized and made away with some components of the transformer and associated items.

The transformer, a 100KVA, 33/0.433KV, valued at about GHC75,000 was discovered to have been vandalized on Saturday, August 31, 2024, during a routine patrol to check on the network to fix a power outage situation.

The transformer, which was located at Asutsuare Junction, had been brought down, some parts removed and taken away while other components lay scattered around it.

The ECG officials who made this discovery made a report on this to the Doryumu Police Station.

Speaking on the issue, the Regional Engineer for ECG Tema Region, Ing. Michael Buabin indicated that, "the damages to these transformers cause inconveniences to customers as some had been without supply."

"It also causes financial loss to the company as resources meant for other projects have to be re-channeled into replacing the stolen transformer. The damaged transformer itself would cost about GHC75,000 while the associated components needed will likely raise the cost to over GHC100,000, an amount which could have gone into other developmental projects by the organization."

Ing. Buabin made a plea to the public, asking that "they should support the ECG, and to report any persons seen damaging or trying to sell off such items to the police as that can help to hopefully prevent such occurrences in the future."