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The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has issued a stern warning to customers against tampering with the newly installed smart meters, emphasizing that the company is equipped to detect any illegal activities.
The Managing Director of ECG, Samuel Dubik Mahama, made this clear during the launch of a comprehensive meter replacement exercise in Accra East, as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to curb revenue losses and enhance operational efficiency.
“Please, these meters are smart meters. They are MMS compliant, and they are very visible on our dashboard in our offices. Please do not tamper with these meters because we will know,” Mahama cautioned.
Mr Dubik Mahama addressing journalists
His remarks come in response to rising concerns about illegal connections and meter tampering, which have significantly contributed to the company’s revenue leakage over the years.
Illegal electricity connections have been a persistent issue in Ghana, with some customers bypassing meters to avoid paying for electricity. This not only results in substantial financial losses for the ECG but also affects the quality and reliability of power supply to law-abiding customers. In an effort to address this, the ECG is undertaking a project to replace approximately 1.5 million meters nationwide.
“There’s been a huge revenue leakage, and across the country, we need to change close to 1.5 million meters as quickly as possible,” Mahama stated. The new smart meters are part of this broader initiative, designed to improve energy accounting and ensure that electricity consumption is accurately monitored and billed.
The ECG’s Loss Reduction Programme (LRP), under which this exercise falls, is a critical component of the company’s strategy to modernize its infrastructure and reduce losses associated with faulty or tampered meters. These smart meters are not only more accurate but also integrate with the company’s monitoring systems, enabling real-time tracking of energy usage and potential tampering.
The company has also indicated that it will take legal action against individuals found to be tampering with the meters, as it intensifies efforts to clamp down on electricity theft.
