Agona Swedru, Aug 9, GNA - The Agona District branch of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has expressed concern about the rampant stealing of cables that has plunged some parts of Swedru into darkness.

Mr Bismark Awuku, District Manager of ECG, told the GNA that over the past three months thieves were taking advantage of the load-shedding exercise to steal cables worth millions of cedis.

"Operations of the company are under a serious threat due to the reckless cutting of the cables in Swedru."

He said the most affected areas include Mahodwe ECG substation, Borstal Institute, Oda road, PWD area, Eguabirison and Otabilkrom. Mr Awuku said the company had spent millions of cedis to replace some of the stolen cables and residents of Mahodwe and some other areas are living in darkness.

He called on the residents to assist ECG to apprehend the thieves who have resorted to removing ECG meters from houses. Mr Awuku said he had reported the thefts to the district's political heads as well as the security agencies.

Mr Ben Mensah, District Chief Executive for Agona, confirmed that the ECG manager had reported the thefts to him and he appealed to residents to assist the security agencies to apprehend the criminals. Mr Benjamin B. Bakomora, Agona District Police Commander, appealed to communities to reactivate their neighbourhood watch committees to support the police. 09 Aug 07