A shopkeeper, 24, has been detained by the police after she locked a member of the Electricity Company of Ghana's (ECG) monitoring team in her store.

The staff were conducting a monitoring exercise to evaluate the condition of the local pre-paid meters.

The shop, which had previously lost power due to engaging in a meter by-pass, was brought to the team's notice because it had been reconnected without the use of ECG.

The shop owner, Enoch Kwafo, allegedly ordered [Veronica Ansah] his attendant to lock the ECG staff up while they called a mob to attack him.

The locked-up staff was, however, rescued by colleagues who had visited nearby premises. The case was reported to the police and the attendant was arrested.

Dr Mark Owusu Ansah, Accra West Regional Revenue Protection Manager, ECG, said: “The customer had reconnected power to his shop on three previous occasions despite a bill slapped on him for engaging in illegal connection.”

In an interview, he said the shop owed Gh¢10,517.53.

“The customer has not approached us to clear this debt, and keeps reconnecting himself anytime we disconnect him,” Dr Owusu Ansah said.

The Accra West General Manager, ECG, Ebenezer Ghunney expressed concerns over incidents of threats and attacks on staff of the Company while they carried out their legitimate duties.

“We are liaising with the security agencies to ensure that our staff work in the best congenial and peaceful atmosphere always,” he said.

He said the Company would take action against anyone who impeded the work of its field staff.

Last year, the Accra West Region recovered GH¢10,363,755 from 1,900 customers who were apprehended for engaging in various forms of illegal connections.

These customers were surcharged for the power they used and some were also tried in court for stealing power.

The Accra West Region has eight operational districts.

They are Ablekuma, Achimota, Amasaman, Bortianor, Dansoman, Kaneshie, Korlebu and Nsawam.

Source: GNA via MyJoyOnline