The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has issued a public alert regarding the circulation of counterfeit electricity meters within its service areas.
This warning comes after the Ghana Police Service seized over 200 substandard meters during a routine inspection on the Kenyase-Atronie road in the Sunyani Metropolis.
The confiscated meters, reportedly smuggled from neighboring countries like Togo and Côte d’Ivoire, were intercepted at a checkpoint.
NEDCo has advised the public to avoid purchasing these unverified meters due to the serious safety risks they pose, including the possibility of fire outbreaks and damage to transformers, which could result in prolonged power outages.
In a statement signed by NEDCo’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Maxwell K. Kotoka, it was stressed that these meters have not undergone testing or calibration to meet the standards set by regulatory authorities such as the Energy Commission and the Ghana Standards Authority.
The company, according to the statement, pledged to take legal action against those involved in the distribution and sale of these fake meters and announced that a special operation will soon be launched to detect and arrest offenders.
“Customers currently in possession of these meters are advised to return them to the nearest NEDCo office to avoid legal consequences.
Accordingly, NEDCo will take all necessary legal actions against individuals and/or organisations engaged in the distribution (sale, purchase and transportation inclusive) of these fake meters.
A special surprise operation will be rolled out soon to detect and arrest perpetrators and beneficiaries of the distribution of these fake meters.
All those who have acquired these meters are advised to take them to the nearest NEDCo office to avoid arrests and prosecution. There may be no further notice on this exercise,” portions of the statement said.