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It’s a lie PURC directed NEDCo to install new prepaid meters- PURC

Head of Corporate Communications at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) Simon Ali Jarana, has stated that it is not true that the Commission directed the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to install the new prepaid meters at Koblimahagu before reconnecting the community back to the national grid.

According to him, rather the commission had directed the power company (NEDCo) to first restore power to the community and subsequently hold community engagement and sensitization before the smart meter installation exercise. 

The Head of Corporate Communication of PURC Mr. Simon revealed this on Diamond Power Drive on Friday 25th March, 2022.

After the Head of Corporate Communication of NEDco Maxwell Kotoka, on the same platform claimed that the PURC had on Wednesday March 25, 2022, directed NEDCo to install the new smart prepaid meters before restoring power to the community.

According to Maxwell Kotoka, the PURC gave the directive after NEDCo reported the recent attack on their personnel which had led to one of their field officers sustained machete wounds.

“We will restore power to the community if we are able to install the new prepaid meters”, he insists.

However, Simon Ali commenting on the claims by Maxwell Kotoka, said the commission received a letter from a lawyer, lawyer Mohammed Alhassan. And PURC upon receiving the letter also redirected NEDCo to carry out the following,

  1. that NEDCo should engage the community through the representatives, in the referred letter to reach an agreement that, the plan of deployment of new prepaid meters, will be carried out after the reconnecting the community to national grid.
  2. the lawyer representing the community should ensure that, the new prepaid meters are subsequently installed in the community.

In a related development, the residents of Koblimahagu are demanding the dismissal of the Head of Corporate Communication of NEDCo Maxwell Kotoka.

According to the Koblemahagu community members, the NEDCo Corporate Communications Director have misled the Northern Regional Minister, and the Northern Regional Police Command about the recent attack on NEDCo/VRA field officers at the community.

Speaking on behalf of the community members, Kareem Abdul Rahaman popular known as ‘Kpalaa’, explained that “when this matter is resolved, we’re going to organize a demonstration and call for the removal of Mr Kotoka Maxwell. He must leave Northern region. Indeed, he has disrespected N’yab Lamashe’ Naa and N’yab Wurishie Naa”, he emphasized.

The residents made this demand after kicking against the “force installation” of new prepaid meters to the community.

The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) on Friday 25th March, 2022 went into the community with a joint security personnel to install the new prepaid meters before restoring power to the area.

However, the community members of Koblimahagu resisted this move by NEDCo which resulted into deadlock between the security and the residents.

Addressing the media, Kareem Abdul Rahaman, also called on the sector minister to intervene and address the matter.

Kpalaa while calling on the sector minister, also described the actions by the power company as “barbaric, uncouth, immoral and inhumane practices that have been meted out to the people of Koblimahagu”.

“All the gathering here, we have come to register our displeasure. As you can remember, several government officials including the Regional Minister asked VRA to restore electricity back and they refused”, he stated.  

Story By: Alhassan Yakubu |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana.

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