Stolen ECG transformers traced to individuals, corporate institutions
More than 30 transformers allegedly stolen from the warehouse of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have been traced to some individuals and corporate institutions, including financial and real estate companies.
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Last year, the ECG reported the theft of 86 of its transformers at one of its warehouses in Tema but investigations by the BNI indicated that many more transformers had been stolen and sold to unsuspecting members of the public and institutions.
The BNI has mounted a search for a security man believed to have vital information on the kingpins behind the illegal dealings in transformers at the ECG.
The man, Samuel Frimpong, is reported to have vacated his post and residence when the issue was reported to the security agencies.
Modus operandi
A highly placed source at the BNI told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the problem could be more widespread than the reported cases.
That, it explained, was because some of the transformers were sold to institutions in the Central, Western, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra regions.
Consequently, it said, the investigations were being extended to the other regions.
It said the investigations had revealed that most of the agencies or individuals bought the transformers through intermediaries.
According to the source, the trick of the perpetrators was to replace or deface the original name plate or label on the transformer and re-spray it to avoid detection before it was supplied to the buyers.
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Retrieval
The focus of the investigations was to arrest suspect Frimpong; that would help expose those involved in the theft and sale of the transformers.
On whether the identified stolen transformers would be retrieved and returned to the ECG, the source said it did not want to pre-empt the recommendations of the investigations.
It, therefore, appealed to members of the public who had information on Frimpong to contact the Director of the BNI on 0302-221808, 0299001826 or 0299001659 or report to the nearest police station.
A source at the ECG explained to the Daily Graphic that institutions or individuals could purchase transformers from the ECG or an accredited importer to be installed at their facilities to ease power fluctuation or overload.
It said such transformers must, however, be tested at the ECG laboratory and synchronised with the ECG system before being installed.