TheNorthern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has commissioned a 6.2-kilometre interconnection point at Mimima in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region.

The facility links the Langbinsi-Gambaga-Nalerigu line in the East Mamprusi Municipality.

One line runs from Gusheigu in the Northern Region with an interconnection point at Gbintiri in East Mamprusi Municipality. Another line runs from Garu in the Upper East Region to connect to the North East Region.

NEDCo says the move is to prevent electricity supply disruptions that cripple businesses in the North East Region.

“We are riding at the back of the Better Ghana Agenda, and the 24-hour economy of the government to improve the situation in this region,” the acting area manager for Upper East Region, Ing Dr. Edward D Amekah said.

The interconnection point was constructed to stabilise the incessant power outages and fluctuations that are making it hard for businesses in the region to survive.

NEDCo says the facility will minimise power outages and improve economic activities for residents in the region.

The acting area manager for the North East and Upper East Regions, Ing Dr. Edward D Amekah, speaking at the commissioning, urged consumers to pay their bills and desist from power theft.

“I will be quick to plead with the necessary stakeholders, including the regional minister, that payment of bills is critical to our operation. If we give you the power and you don’t pay bills, if there is a problem, how can we rectify it,” he said.

Ing Dr. Edward stressed that power theft is rampant and pleaded with consumers to stop.

“Now, the second one is power theft. That is even the worst because if you use the power and you don’t pay, at least we can still follow you and you pay, but if you steal the power, it goes waste. When it goes waste, NEDCo will not have the needed resources or liquidity to maintain the system so that the benefit that you expect, you derive it from it. I entreat you that you should put the power into good use so that it can benefit all of us.”

The North East Regional Minister Ibrahim Tia also urged consumers to desist from power theft so the company can get the resources needed to keep power on.

Reporting by Dokurugu Alhassan for Asaase News, North East Region