Power outage in Sekondi after suspected thieves vandalize transformers, siphon oil
Parts of Sekondi in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis were plunged into darkness on Monday after suspected thieves vandalized and siphoned oil from transformers serving the area.
The 200 kilo-volt-amperes (kVA) ground-mounted transformer was damaged, and oil was drained from two transformer switches connected to it, according to Martin Djan, the District Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for Sekondi.
Mr Djan explained that the oil is essential for cooling the windings and insulating the coils within the transformer.
The affected transformers are part of substation A37 at the Lands Commission Roundabout in Sekondi, crucial for powering the area.
The power outage impacted several key locations, including the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), the Head Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Passport Office, the Ghana Water Company (GWCL), and St. Paul’s Anglican Church.
ECG engineers are working to restore normal services by refilling the oil in the transformer switches. The incident has been reported to the Sekondi Police Command for investigation.
Emmanuel Justice Ofori, General Manager of ECG, Western Region, urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around ECG installations.
He mentioned that the management is enhancing security at ECG substations to prevent further vandalism, though specific measures were not disclosed. The police have yet to provide further details on the case.
