The Tema Region of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has suffered a significant loss after thieves stole a 100KVA transformer valued at GH₵100,000. The theft occurred at Asutuare Junction on Saturday, August 31, 2024, during a routine patrol by engineers who were responding to a power outage in the area.
According to Sakyiwaa Mensah, the Public Relations Officer for ECG Tema Region, the thieves dismantled the transformer, taking away essential components and leaving the entire community without electricity. “On the morning of Saturday, the 31st of August 2024, the ECG Tema region realised that we had lost a transformer to thieves. The transformer was situated at the Asutuare Junction. It was a 100 KVA transformer with its associated components valued at about 100,000 Ghana cedis,” she said.
The discovery was made during routine patrol checks when engineers noticed that some customers in the affected part of the network had lost power. Upon investigation, they found that the transformer had been vandalized, with several components stolen and the remaining parts scattered around its base. The matter was promptly reported to the Doryumu Police Station.
Mrs. Mensah appealed to the public to help protect ECG property, stressing the negative impact of such thefts on both the company and its customers. “We would want to plead with the public to help us protect ECG property,” she stated. “When transformers are vandalized in this way, the customers suffer because they would be off supply for a while, and the company also suffers because resources meant for other projects have to be rechanneled to replace the vandalized transformer.”
She urged the community to report any suspicious activity around ECG installations to the police. “If you see any unscrupulous persons around any ECG installation, please alert the police,” she emphasized.
The theft of the transformer is not only a financial loss to the ECG but also a significant inconvenience to the community that relies on the electricity supply for their daily activities. The ECG, like many utility companies, faces challenges in maintaining its infrastructure due to such criminal activities. Vandalism of transformers and other essential components disrupts power supply, causes extensive damage, and creates financial burdens as resources are diverted to repair and replace stolen or damaged equipment.
The appeal from the ECG reflects the ongoing challenge of protecting critical infrastructure in the face of theft and vandalism. Mrs. Mensah emphasized the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in safeguarding public utilities, stating that the collaboration between the public and law enforcement is crucial to preventing such incidents in the future.
The ECG is hopeful that increased public awareness and cooperation will help deter future thefts and ensure the continued provision of reliable electricity to its customers. The company also reiterated its commitment to working closely with the police to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The recent incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community involvement in safeguarding public resources. The ECG encourages all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around public infrastructure to the authorities. By working together, the community and the company can help prevent further losses and ensure a stable power supply for everyone.
