ECG seeks public support to apprehend persons stealing switchgear metal covers
By Selorm GBORBIDZI, Accra
The Accra East Region of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is appealing to the public for assistance in identifying and capturing suspected thieves who have been stealing metal covers from ECG’s switchgear.
These metal covers protect the switchgear from the elements and play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of both the public and the operational integrity of ECG.
Ing. Bismark Otoo, the General Manager of the Accra East Region of ECG, addressed the issue during a press conference in Accra.
He revealed that these unknown individuals have already damaged approximately 15 ECG switchgear units, leading to one explosion in the vicinity of the airport area.
ECG has incurred around GH¢150,000 in replacement costs for these stolen parts, as they do not keep them in stock.
Furthermore, these thefts have hindered ECG’s ability to fulfill its mandate, as these switches are essential for connecting the ECG network through their underground eight Volt cables.
This, in turn, results in financial losses in the form of unsold power.
Although no one has been caught in the act, ECG suspects that these thefts are the work of wandering scrap dealers, as the stolen covers seemingly have no other practical use besides being sold as scrap metal.
Ing. Otoo commented on the situation, stating, “We noticed this act of vandalism about three months ago.
A number of our switches have been vandalized in this manner.
As we speak, over 15 of the switches have had their covers removed, but we are doing our best to cover them.”
Because ECG does not keep spares for these parts, they are forced to retrieve retired covers from their scrapyard to replace the stolen ones.
However, this has become increasingly challenging as they typically sell retired switches to scrap dealers, leading to a shortage of available covers.
The real cost of these thefts goes beyond replacement costs; it lies in unsold energy.
Ing. Otoo explained, “When the generating companies have provided supply and we have not been able to sell them because the supply is resting at our terminal, there is a cost we pay. And so if a fault occurs which results in a power outage and, for that matter, we are not able to sell that power, it goes against us, and we bear the cost of those unsold energies.”
The ECG has reported these incidents to the police for investigation and has engaged with community groups to encourage vigilance against these thieves.
The thefts have been recorded in several areas, including the Airport Residential Area, Ridge Cantonments, Osu, and La.
The ECG seeks the cooperation of the public in apprehending the culprits and putting an end to these thefts that pose risks to both safety and operational efficiency.
