20 NEDCo Transformers Destroyed in Upper East and North East Regions Between January and August 2026 — PURC
The Upper East Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has disclosed that 20 transformers belonging to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) within Upper East and North Region were reportedly destroyed between January and August 2026, raising concerns about the impact of illegal electricity-related activities on power distribution across the region. According to the Upper East Regional Office of the PURC, led by Mohammed Adam Sulaiman, the destruction of the transformers is among a number of challenges affecting both electricity consumers and NEDCo as a distributor. Mr. Sulaiman made the revelation during an exclusive engagement with Apexnewsgh, where he spoke about some of the challenges confronting consumers and the electricity distribution company in the Upper East and North East regions. He said threats and attacks against NEDCo staff linked to illegal electricity use and nonpayment of electricity bills are gradually gaining ground in some communities, creating additional challenges for the effective delivery of electricity services. According to him, some of the concerns include the nonpayment of electricity bills, meter bypassing, meter tampering and illegal direct connections from distribution lines. He explained that such activities could damage NEDCo’s electrical infrastructure, including transformers and electricity meters, thereby affecting the reliability and sustainability of electricity distribution. Mr. Sulaiman also clarified that not all power outages should be attributed to NEDCo, noting that some interruptions could result from natural causes such as windstorms, which may damage electricity infrastructure and disrupt power supply. PURC urges consumers to seek lawful redress The PURC Regional Director stressed the importance of fairness in the provision of public utility services, explaining that the Commission exists to protect the interests of both consumers and utility service providers. He noted that consumers have a legitimate interest in receiving a quality and reliable supply of electricity, while utility service providers also have a legitimate interest in receiving payment for the services they provide. Mr. Sulaiman therefore appealed to consumers to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands whenever they encounter challenges involving electricity or water services. He encouraged affected consumers to seek redress through the PURC, rather than resorting to threats, attacks or other unlawful actions against utility workers. “PURC is a creation of the law, and so we apply the law in whatever we do,” he emphasised. The concerns, according to the information presented during the engagement, affect communities in parts of the North East Region, including Nasuan, Chirifoyili and Wundua, as well as Tongo and Bongo in the Upper East Region. The PURC’s call comes amid growing concerns over the need for stronger collaboration between consumers, utility providers and regulators to address illegal electricity connections, payment challenges, infrastructure damage and disputes over power supply. Source: Apexnewsgh.com