The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has begun engagements with key stakeholders within the Tamale metropolis to ensure a smooth installation of split smart meters by the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).

Residents of Tamale, particularly Koblimahagu earlier resisted the installation of these meters leading to confrontations and in some cases assault on the staff.

But according to the Head of Corporate Communications of PURC, Ali Simon Jarana, the commission had instituted the Tamale Project to among other things assist NEDCo to fashion out a clear cut stakeholder engagement, carry out intensive public education on the new meters and support their revenue mobilisation drive so as to reduce both technical and commercial losses.

The team from PURC identified two major things during their engagements with key stakeholders within the Tamale metropolis.

There were the lack of stakeholder engagement prior to the attempts by NEDCo to install these meters and the lack of lack education on these new split smart meters hence the resistance from residents.

"We have so far engaged with a cross section of the media, the Leadership of the Ahmadiya Muslim Mission, Ambariya Sunna Community, Mahaloya Muslim Community, Nuriya Islamic Institute, the management, loss control team and the leadership of NEDCo staff union", Al Simon Jarana said.

"This intervention we believe is crucial and timely" Mr Jarana added.