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DON'T DO IT: Nored acting CEO Toivo Shovaleka. Photo Nikanor Nangolo
DON'T DO IT: Nored acting CEO Toivo Shovaleka. Photo Nikanor Nangolo

Nored urges public to stop electricity theft

Nikanor Nangolo
Acting Nored CEO Toivo Shovaleka has called on the public to desist from tampering with or stealing electricity through bypasses and illegal connections.

He made the remarks during the mines and energy ministry’s electrification project handover at Rundu's Ndama Extension 6 last week. He revealed that Rundu is among the towns with the most illegal electricity connections, constituting 23%.

"In Outapi, we found seven bypassed meters, 15 in Opuwo, 34 in Nkurenkuru, 77 in Katima Mulilo, 50 in Ondangwa, two in Divundu, four in Okongo, one in Okahao, two in Omuthiya and 16 in Ongwediva," he said.

Shovaleka appealed to beneficiaries and customers across Nored's area of operation to immediately stop engaging in illegal activities and unsafe practices such as electricity theft through bypasses, tampering and illegal connections.

"Kindly be warned that these practices have significant financial implications for the company in carrying out its mandate, and they can also lead to electrocution and unnecessary injuries. If you see people tampering with or stealing your wires, please report them immediately to the police,” he said.

The acting CEO added that the electricity distributor will be rendered unable to maintain infrastructure if customers do not pay for the electricity that is used.



Customer education

According to Shovaleka, Nored conducted customer education in Ndama Extension 6. Residents were educated on electricity safety-related matters, vandalism, and illegal connections. "I hope the residents of this area have listened carefully, and it is our sincere wish that each member of this community will take a stand to look after the wires and infrastructure that have been installed and will continue to be installed. This will ensure that the electricity provided to the community today will be fully safeguarded," he added.

He also highlighted that Nored is currently upgrading all its prepaid meters. "This is because the software that prepaid customers use to buy electricity will expire on 24 November worldwide. This means that all companies operating in the electricity supply industry are required to upgrade their prepaid meters. As your electricity service provider, we are anticipated to roll over a total of 109 862 prepaid meters. So far, 92 439 have been rolled over, representing 84% of our entire area of operation," he said.

Shovaleka further urged the community to support these efforts to ensure a reliable and safe electricity supply for all.



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Namibian Sun 2024-11-21

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