Two persons who are believed to be part of a syndicate installing fake meters for residents at Tsito in the Ho West District have been fined GH¢6,000 each or in default serve a two-year prison term by the Ho West Magistrate Court in the Volta Region.
The two are Stephen Terkper, 22, and Bright Addae 54, a fridge mechanic operating at Kpeve in the South Dayi District of the same region.
The Ho West Magistrate Court after assessing the charges brought against them by the Anyirawase Police Prosecutor fined the two accused 500 penalty points each which translates to GH¢6,000 each or in default serve prison term.
FACTS
The Volta Regional Office of Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana picked up information on the 13th of March, 2019 that some persons were illegally installing meters labeled; “Rent Control” for customers in the Tsito.
The Police at Anyirawase was alerted and a team was sent to Tsito to investigate which led to the arrest of the two suspects.
Upon interrogation, residents who had fallen victim to the illegal installation admitted they paid GH¢300 each for the meters.
They also told the Regional PDS staff that the suspects had told them that they (suspects) were running a promotion in partnership with PDS which allowed them to supply whatever quantity each person wanted.
The Regional General Manager of PDS in the Volta Region, Ing Delali Oklu bemoaned the installation of illegal meters in the Region and assured that his office will put measures in place to stop the trend.
He said “the action of the illegal installation of meters is a huge revenue leakage to the company since most customers throw away existing meters with huge debts for new ones.”
He commended the police and the court for the swiftness in dealing with the case and advised customers to always seek assistance from the various PDS offices in the districts and always insist on identification before dealing with any PDS staff.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)