The Energy Minister, Mr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has strongly condemned the death threats issued against officials of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) in the Northern Region. These threats arise from NEDCo’s ongoing efforts to curb illegal electricity connections, a critical initiative aimed at ensuring stable and reliable power supply. Mr. Jinapor labeled the threats as detrimental and counterproductive, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to improve the electricity situation rather than resorting to violence. He particularly referenced a disturbing social media video where an individual allegedly incited community members to attack and kill NEDCo personnel carrying out disconnections. The Minister underscored the reckless nature of such threats, highlighting the vital role NEDCo employees play in maintaining the power infrastructure. He questioned the logic behind threatening those responsible for restoring power, arguing that their absence would only exacerbate the very problems the communities face.
Responding to the threats, Mr. Jinapor has called upon law enforcement agencies to take swift and decisive action against the individuals responsible. He assured NEDCo staff of the government’s unwavering support in their revenue mobilization campaign, urging them to conduct their duties respectfully and with consideration for customers. This approach, he explained, is vital to minimizing potential confrontations and fostering a more cooperative environment. The Minister’s visit to the Northern Region, specifically the Greater Tamale Metropolis, aimed to engage with key stakeholders, including traditional authorities, to garner support for the revenue mobilization drive and ensure a consistent power supply. This collaborative approach underscores the government’s commitment to working with communities to address the challenges in the power sector.
The Minister’s visit encompassed several key engagements designed to understand the ground realities and reinforce the government’s commitment to improving the electricity situation. His itinerary included tours of critical substations, such as the Adubiliyili and Lamashigu substations, to assess ongoing projects and ensure their timely completion. These projects represent significant investments aimed at strengthening the power infrastructure and enhancing electricity distribution in the region. By personally inspecting these sites, the Minister demonstrated the government’s focus on delivering tangible results and ensuring that the allocated resources translate into improved power supply for the residents.
The Lamashigu substation, a crucial component of the government’s efforts to stabilize electricity supply in the Greater Tamale Metropolis, received particular attention during the Minister’s visit. Engineer Amos Agyen-Fokuo, the Project Engineer at the substation, provided an update on the project’s progress, assuring the Minister of its expected completion by the end of June. This timeline offers a concrete timeframe for the anticipated improvements in electricity supply, providing residents with a tangible expectation for enhanced power reliability. The successful completion of the Lamashigu substation signifies a major step towards addressing the power challenges faced by the community.
The Minister’s engagement with stakeholders, coupled with his on-the-ground assessment of critical infrastructure projects, underscores the government’s multifaceted approach to addressing the power challenges in the Northern Region. By fostering dialogue and collaboration with community leaders and traditional authorities, the government aims to build consensus and create an environment conducive to the successful implementation of its initiatives. Simultaneously, the investment in infrastructure upgrades, exemplified by the Lamashigu substation project, demonstrates the government’s commitment to tangible improvements in the power sector. This dual strategy – combining community engagement with infrastructure development – is crucial for achieving sustainable solutions to the region’s electricity challenges.
Illegal connections pose a significant threat to the stability and reliability of power supply, impacting both the quality of service and the financial viability of electricity distribution companies. By addressing this issue head-on, the government aims to create a fairer and more sustainable power sector, benefiting both the consumers and the utility providers. The revenue mobilization campaign, a key component of the government’s strategy, is designed to ensure that all electricity consumers contribute their fair share, allowing for continued investment in infrastructure and improved service delivery. The government’s commitment to tackling illegal connections underscores its determination to address the root causes of power instability and build a more robust and reliable electricity network for the benefit of all residents in the Northern Region.
