The Volta Regional branch of the Electricity Company (ECG) has signed an agreement with the chiefs of Nkwanta and the Nkwanta South District Assembly to take preventive measures to safeguard the company’s wooden poles.

Under the agreement, the company will pay the people to clear the surroundings of the poles that have been overgrown with weeds while the assembly will also educate the people against the setting of bushfires.

The contract sum was however, not disclosed.

Speaking to the Times here, the district manager of ECG, Stephen Dodea said the agreement became necessary due to the destruction of the poles during the dry season.
Wildfires from indiscriminate bush burning destroyed the poles and cut power supply to the area.

The chiefs and the assembly had earlier sought an explanation to the constant power outages from the district manager.

Mr Dodeah explained that the location of the substation at Kpando ,which is about 180 Kilometers away from Nkwanta, coupled with the location of service control station ,which is also at Jasikan ,another 120 km away, made it difficult responding quickly to some of the problems.

He said when the poles get burnt, or the lines are destroyed by the winds and rain storms, the engineers’ will have to conduct physical inspection before determining the fault.
Mr Dodeah denied that the company deliberately cut them off, explaining that, “any business entity that thrives on profit cannot decide to cut off customers anyhow.”

He advised the people to use power wisely and avoid loading so many gadgets or electrical appliances at the same time.
This, he said ,will not only conserve electricity but also reduce their bills.

The manager also urged the people to report any fault to the company and to make use of its Customer  Service Desk to seek clearance on any matter that bother them.
The Nkwanta District Commander of police, ASP Douglas Kuma also advised the youth to desist from launching attacks on the personnel of ECG.

He bemoaned their negative attitudes and asked them not to take the law into their own hands as they will be dealt with when caught.

SOURCE: The Ghanaian Times
Posted: 09/10/09

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