Energy Theft is a Crime, KEDCO Warns
The Kano Electricity Distribution Company(KEDCO) has warned its customers from tampering with installations and illegal connections saying that these acts are criminal offences and punishable by law, a statement from the firm has said.
A lot of awareness has been given with regard to sabotage against KEDCO’s installation, vandalisation of transformer, illegal connection, meter by-pass and others. We are reiterating for the umpteenth time that energy theft in any form is a crime and whoever is found guilty with respect to the above listed should be ready to face the law.
In a society where there is law, no one should expect that he or she will do whatever he or she feels with the properties of companies who are in business for the purpose of enhancing adequate power supply to their customers, and not get punished.
Having strengthened our legal unit couple with the special investigation and prosecution tasks force on electricity offenses that is being constituted to address these issues, soon unrepentant vandals and energy thieves will know that their act is a crime that may put them in jail for a long time.
Those that have formed the habit of vandalizing KEDCO transformers is liable to a minimum of 21 years in jail or life imprisonment while meter by-pass fine ranges from N50, 000 to N150, 000. Energy thefts, illegal connection, hanging of wires and assault on KEDCO’s staff are all punishable by law.
Energy theft or meter cheating which is a way of bypassing electricity meter so that actual usage rates cannot be measured or recorded is a serious (economic or financial) crime that has its dire consequences on both KEDCO and the customers. So anyone who is involved in this should know that it is a crime that will not be tolerated anymore as all is set for all legal battles to secure KEDCO’s investment and guarantee the satisfaction of our customers.
Those who are paying less than they should because their meter has been tampered or bypassed are also guilty of energy theft.
We advised all customers to be vigilant with their meters and when you see something, say something as these will help us serve you better, going forward.
