Unravelling missing containers: ECG entreats suppliers, contractors to declare legal materials to police

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has urged all suppliers and contractors undertaking various projects for them and those who have large quantities of materials to disclose this to the police within their jurisdiction and invite them for inspection.

That, it said, would give the security heads up on what they had in their warehouses and help avert situations where the suppliers and contractors were mistakenly cited for their involvement in the ongoing investigations over the missing ECG containers and their contents from the Tema Port.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Director of Communications of the ECG, William Boateng, said this had become necessary because some of their contractors and suppliers had already fallen victim.

“Unfortunately, some suppliers and contractors executing various projects for the company and who have been given large quantities of materials for those works, have been mistaken for complicity in the ongoing investigations over the missing containers and contents, with some being arrested and detained,” he said.

Situation

Mr Boateng said under the ECG’s loss reduction project (LRP), which has adopted private sector participation in ECG commercial activities, over 13 suppliers had been contracted within its operational areas by supplying meters and undertaking service connections for customers.

He said some of these suppliers had also engaged third-party contractors who were assisting the ECG with its extension and reinforcement projects in their operational areas.

“By the nature of the works they are undertaking, they are given large quantities of cables and other materials for the safe, effective and efficient execution of the works, which include new service connections, installation and replacement of faulty meters.

“Unfortunately, some of these suppliers have been mistaken for doing something untoward and have been victims of swoops by the investigating authorities. For instance, the investigated team conducted a swoop on MBH Company, which is undertaking work in Takoradi and the manager was arrested.

“Another incident has also taken place in Kumasi and these are affecting the works in these areas, so to forestall similar occurrences, we have asked our suppliers and contractors who have such large quantities of materials to take the lead to disclose this with all the required documents to the police within their jurisdictions, before a wrong tip-off could lead them into trouble,” Mr Boateng stated.

The ECG Director of Communications also said it was engaging the police commands within its operating areas where such works were ongoing, so they would also be in the know.

Cooperation

Mr Boateng emphasised that the ECG was giving its full support and cooperation to the initiative taken by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, to unravel the missing containers and their contents saga.

“Management fully supports the efforts by the Minister and security agencies to get to the bottom of the issue and is giving the needed cooperation.

“However, we also need to protect suppliers and contractors who are legally engaged to undertake various works for the ECG as some have fallen victim to swoops and arrests when they are not involved,” he said and appealed to the general public who were providing information based on what they may have observed and seen to be circumspect to avert getting innocent people into trouble.