Energy analyst Kwadwo Poku has announced a 1,000 dollar reward for anyone who could provide credible information that will lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for hacking down a high voltage transmission pylon in Tema.
The hack down of the GRICo pylon Monday morning by some suspected thieves caused power outages in parts of Dansoman, Kasoa, Swan Lake, and other parts of Accra.
A corrosive chemical was said to have been used to weaken the base of the tower after which the bolts and nuts supporting it were removed.
The thieves then hacksaw blade to cut the base of the tower, causing it to collapse on a second tower which is paired with it in a parallel line.
The Police CID have since commenced investigations into the case, but Energy Minister John Peter Amewu said the act was caused by some saboteurs who he claimed are interested Ghana’s progress.
In a statement Wednesday, Mr Opoku said “I am offering $1,000 as reward to anyone who provides the police with credible information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of persons responsible for the hideous act”.
Mr. Opoku who is the Director of the Chamber of Electricity Ghana has urged the police to ensure that perpetrators of the acts are brought to book.
“Power is crucial to our economic and industrial transformation in Ghana and we all witnessed the loss it brought to our economy some years back during the era of ‘dumsor’ where the country did not have sufficient investment to have reliable power supply,” he said.
Mr Opoku has thus asked government to take steps towards making crimes against power infrastructure treasonable.
“Also all our power generation and distribution sites should be designated as Security Zones and trespassing within certain meters be prohibited,” he suggested.
He also underscored the need for the citizenry who are close to power transmission lines to be vigilant.
By 3news.com|Ghana