Audio By Carbonatix The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has seized more than 300 electricity meters from residents accused of power theft during a two-day dawn operation in Tamale. The raids targeted the Kalpohin and Kukuo communities between 05:30 and 06:30. Speaking to JoyNews, NEDCo’s Corporate Communications Manager, Maxwell Kotoka said more than 300 people had been found to be bypassing meters and “conducting some illegalities”. “What we have done in just two days, to go at the break of day between 5:30 and 6:30, and so far we have done only two communities. We have found more than 300 who are culpable, who have engaged in bypass, meter power theft,” he said. Officials of NEDCo had earlier said the company was losing about 46% of its electricity to theft, a situation that threatens the firm's financial survival. The losses are particularly severe in the Tamale Metropolis, where illegal connections and meter tampering have led to major revenue shortfalls. Mr Kotoka added that in the process of bypassing the meters, the culprits had damaged many of them, causing financial losses to the company. “The sad part is that in the process they have damaged a good deal of these meters and the meters are pretty expensive. They are smart meters, and so when you destroy them like this, we the consumers are the very same people who will come and complain that when we ask for meters we don’t get,” he said. He warned that the scale of the damage was affecting NEDCo’s ability to supply new applicants. “Now look at the challenge we have. When we invest in meters and in two days, two communities can destroy in excess of 300 - when we bring the next set of meters we are compelled to replace the damaged meters instead of spreading them and making them available to new applicants,” he said. Mr Kotoka also linked the thefts to broader challenges with power infrastructure. He said seven new transformers had been installed in the Tamale Metropolis, with others in Kpandai, Kete Krachi and Bimbilla. He noted that 11 transformers had been replaced at the start of the process: Tamale Metropolis received seven, Kpandai two, while Kete Krachi and Bimbilla received one each. “If the government invests in these and people steal power instead of paying, then it has consequences at the end,” he said. He said those found culpable would face legal action. DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Tags: 300 meters illegal connections Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) Tamale DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Related to this story Tamale High Court to rule today in NDA corruption trial involving former officials Police arrest 7 suspects, seize 40 wraps of suspected Indian hemp in Tamale FDA seizes over 5,000 packs of unapproved baby diapers in Tamale crackdown Mahama applauds progress on Tamale Teaching Hospital Cardiology Centre Mahama directs Health Ministry to establish Tamale cancer treatment centre as new cardio facility nears completion Mahama pledges locally funded water project for Tamale after external loan setback Tamale 24-hr Economy Market is biggest of all – President Mahama UDS appoints Prof. Muniru Iddrisu as Vice-Chancellor following disrupted council meeting in Tamale EU velocity cycling tour for sustainability kicks off in Tamale with 106km opening ride EcoGreen Oases Legacy initiative tackles unemployment and climate challenges with Green Skills Training in Tamale Latest Stories NEDCo seizes more than 300 meters over illegal connections17 seconds Protecting Ghana’s cocoa reputation in the age of misinformation9 minutes Ghana reaffirms commitment to regional gas cooperation at WAGP ministerial meeting in Abuja10 minutes Tamale High Court to rule today in NDA corruption trial involving former officials15 minutes Teshie Nungua to face planned power interruptions as ECG upgrades transformers from April 28–3021 minutes NDC defends arrests, rejects claims of free speech crackdown41 minutes NPP calls on CSOs, global community to safeguard Ghana’s democracy42 minutes Delta Air Lines partners Amazon Leo to deliver faster in-flight internet; Ghana routes expected to benefit55 minutes Accra Metropolitan University launches MSc programmes in Cybersecurity and Intelligence1 hour Today’s Front pages: Thursday, April 23, 20261 hour Poverty in A Convoy1 hour Former CSA boss calls for shift from curriculum to capability in cybersecurity training1 hour Ghana Publishers Association marks World Book and Copyright Day with call to strengthen reading culture2 hours Nominations open for Ghana AI Summit & Awards 20262 hours Vaccines protect millions in Africa, but gaps still leave children behind3 hours