The entire Krobo area was turned into wild jubilation and merry-making after the Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG, and restored power to the area after 7 days of a power cut.
Power was restored on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at about 4:25pm.
Drinking spots and pubs that have been out of business due to the power outage were quickly organized with sound systems to jam music throughout the night which many residents merry.
The Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG, restored power to Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipalities in the Eastern region after some condition precedents in a form of resolutions were fulfilled on the part of stakeholders on the Kroboland.
The safety of ECG workers and installations has also been fulfilled by stakeholders and Police.
The Inspector-General of Police hinted on Friday, December 10, 2021, when he stormed the area with his entourage that, “you say you want to light. If it is not restored today it will be restored tomorrow”.
The IGP was in both Yilo and Manya Krobo Municipalities based on Intelligence of imminent violence and rampage by residents in protest against the power outage.
Some unscrupulous persons had planned to burn all generator plants provided to some Institutions and traditional leaders by ECG.
Addressing the residents to neutralize and deescalate the tension, the IGP however warned the miscreants to desist since the police will deal with them squarely if they attempt to foment trouble
He urged residents to use peaceful means to seek solutions to any problem they encounter.
Nene Sakite II, Kornor of Manya Krobo traditional area told the IGP when he paid a courtesy call on him that, he blame the United Krobo Foundation for inviting the people against ECG despite engagements by the traditional council for the issue of overbilling to be resolved.
Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipalities have been plunged into the darkness since Monday, December 6, 2021, following a decision by ECG to shut down the feeders to the Bulk Supply Point (BSP) which supplies power to the two Municipalities.
ECG explains the decision became necessary due to illegal connections by unscrupulous people on their transformers increasing the load.
A statement issued by ECG stated that “given the ongoing interference in our network as a result of the scaling down of our operations in the Krobo area which was necessitated by the threat to our staff, ECG has decided to shut down the feeders at the Bulk Supply Point (BSP) directly feeding the Communities to protect our network, lives, and properties of innocent customers and the general public within the lower Manya and Yilo Krobo communities”
The feeders were switched off a few hours after the power distributor closed down its district office in Somanya over safety concerns.
Resolutions
The Member of Parliament for Yilo Krobo Albert Nyarkotey has facilitated stakeholders meeting between ECG, traditional authorities in Yilo and Manya Krobo area as well as the youth Groups -Kloma Gbi and Kloma Hengme which some far-reaching resolutions were arrived at in the interests of both the Krobo Customers and the ECG.
The resolutions are detailed as follows:
That, there shall be a Resolution from all Assembly members, in the two Municipalities together with the two Presiding Members to the effect that, ECG workers shall have access to ECG installations and meters in the communities as well as the homes of customers without obstruction from anyone. (This is currently being done by the two assemblies)
That, no individual or group shall attack any ECG installations be it transformers or meters within the affected areas.
That, a Technical team from ECG together with a team of Both MP for Yilo and Manya would visit the affected sites of damaged ECG installations to assess the extent of the damage. (This will be done early, Friday 10th December 2021).
That, ECG shall immediately begin repair works on all broken/damaged installations in a bid to restore power to the affected Krobo Municipalities of Yilo and Manya.
That, there shall be another meeting to ascertain the level of progress made about the aforementioned, to be climaxed with another Security meeting all in efforts to restore calm and ensure compliance to law and order as well as offering ECG staff a free hand to operate.
That, when all these conditions are met, ECG shall restore power to the affected Krobo municipalities but, the ECG shall operate from Juapong as indicated in their earlier release pending a final Management and Security meeting.
Krobo group begs ECG to return assures 24hour security with 1k well-built youth
The Coalition of Krobo Youth has appealed to the Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG, to return to its Somanya District office and also restore power to Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipalities.
The group has assured ECG that it will provide adequate security for ECG staff through the deployment of 1000 well-built youth to guard them 24hr daily without depending on the Police and NIB which the group believes have failed to live up to expectations.
Addressing the media on Thursday, December 9, 2021, the Convener of the group Frederick Narh Okley condemned the action of the United Krobo Foundation especially on threats to ECG to vacate the Krobo area and inciting people not to pay the electricity bill.
The group, however, stated that ECG should not base on the action of a few miscreants to punish the over 200,000 people on Kroboland.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
