Illegal Connections: Energy Minister decries rampant power theft

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has raised concerns about illegal electricity connections in the Northern Region. He described the situation as alarmingly high and requiring urgent action.

Currently, over 50% of electricity distribution losses in NEDCo's area come from this region. This is mainly due to power theft and unpaid bills. The Minister stated that these issues are severely affecting NEDCo’s operations.

Illegal connections, system overloads, and non-payment of bills are harming NEDCo financially. During a visit to Tamale, Jinapor expressed his worries about the region's contribution to these losses.

He noted that the Northern Region accounts for over 50% of NEDCo’s total losses. Alarmingly, 70% of those losses come from Tamale alone due to illegal consumption practices. These practices significantly contribute to Aggregate Technical and Commercial (ATC) losses.

Jinapor urged residents to support NEDCo’s efforts by paying their electricity bills regularly. He emphasized that better cooperation between customers and the utility provider is essential for reliable power delivery in the region.

To address these issues, he suggested improving customer service. He also recommended introducing flexible payment plans for those caught with illegal connections. This would help them regularize their consumption without financial strain.

His comments followed an appeal from Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John. The Regional Minister requested a temporary suspension of NEDCo’s revenue mobilization exercise that started on April 7.

He cited financial pressures after Ramadan fasting and Eid celebrations as reasons for this request. He urged for a grace period so indebted customers can settle their arrears without immediate disconnection.

John promised to personally support NEDCo during this period to ensure they collect necessary revenue effectively.