The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) is backing the Electricity Company Ghana (ECG) management’s crackdown on some of its staff captured in a JoyNews exposé which highlighted how some staff illicitly sell unapproved meters to customers at inflated prices.

ECG on October 9 after the documentary was aired sent queries to its staff who were caught on tape with strict disciplinary proceedings expected to follow.

Speaking to JoyNews on the back of this development, the General Secretary of PUWU, Michael Nyantakyi condemned the actions of the staff members caught on the tape.

He urged ECG management to deal with them in accordance with the law.

“We do not support any kind of such activities by individuals within or outside the company who are doing anything against the progress of ECG as an entity.

“So for those who are involved and captured in the documentary, we condemn such acts without any reservations,” he said.

JoyNews in its latest investigation has uncovered a cartel including staff of ECG and security guards who forge documents to sell off unapproved meters to prospective consumers at exorbitant prices.

A separate meter that costs a little over Gh₵800 is sold by these individuals for as high as GH₵2,500.

JoyNews investigative desk reveals how the actions of these individuals enable their patrons to enjoy free electricity without the knowledge of ECG offices in most parts of the country.

This revelation comes on the heels of concerns raised by management that the power distributor loses GH¢2.8 billion as a result of illegal power connection.

Reacting to the discovery, the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama said he is saddened by the illegal meter sale situation in the country.

He noted that he is working to identify the individuals behind the illegal meter sale and sanction them.

“This saddens me. It is so sad that customers have to go through something like this, it is so sad that staff of ECG will collect monies like this and not even a quarter of that money comes into ECG coffers,” he said.

Commenting on the cost consumers have to pay as a result of the illegal meter sale, the ECG MD apologised to power consumers.

“I must categorically apologise to our customers who have gone through this. This is not supposed to be how we do business. We are very sorry and we intend to fix this problem,” he said.

According to him, he identified the theft cases after he assumed office and put in place measures such as the loss reduction programme to put an end to the situation.

He explained that this process enables customers to get their meters through electronic means without consulting ECG personnel. However, “It is clear that whenever you close one loophole, another one comes up.”

 In light of this, he noted that the power company will automate all the processes of acquiring a meter to prevent the development from continuing.