Story by Dominic Hlordzi and Mabel Annang
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, PURC says it is working with the Energy Commission to insert provisions in the proposed amendment to the Energy Commission’s Act to criminalize illegal electricity connections.
Presently, the practice is not criminalized and perpetrators are only made to pay penalties or a civil case is filed against them in Court.
The Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr. Ishmael Ackah told GBC NEWS that efforts are also being made to get Parliament to amend the Criminal Code to include a provision for power theft. We bring you more in this report.
“Stealing of every form is a criminal issue. If you access power or water or any other service without going through the right process and without paying, is a criminal issue. Unfortunately, PURC’s Act did not criminalise the practice but it provides certain sanctions that can be imposed.” Dr. Ishmael Ackah narrates.
He said PURC is working with Energy Commission and Utilities providers to make the practice a criminal act.
Illegal electricity connections or power theft is a major concern in the power sector as the practice adds to the losses in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.
Many have called for the criminalization of power theft as pertains in some jurisdictions to mete out stiffer punishment to persons who engage in the act.
The Director of Regional Operations at PURC, Alhaji Abukari Jabaru said power theft is a bane to cost recovery and sustenance of the utility service providers.
He said the framers of the criminal code should have foresaw acts like power theft, but it is not too late.
“It is important to have this practice to be part of the criminal code.”Alhaji Jabaru stated.
The practice, he noted, is becoming a burden in society.
“What Ghanaians don’t know is that whatever is stolen we all end up paying for it one way or the other. Government will be forced to inject money into the utilities when they are not doing well because it is a shareholder and the government is me and you” he explains.
Alhaji Jabaru advised well-meaning Ghanaians to work together to curb illegal practices in the energy sector.
It is the hope of the Regulatory Authorities that criminalizing illegal electricity connections will serve as a deterrent to persons who engage in the practice.
Below is the video;
