Cameroon's electricity producer and distributor ENEO has raised concerns of electricity fraud and theft in the country. In a recent briefing note published by the company which Hilltopvoices got a copy, electricity fraud is causing "the sector and the country to lose more than 60 billion CFA Francs each year. The level of losses generated by illegal activities is very high, and contributes to the financial suffocation of the entire electricity sector."
Speaking to the state broadcaster; CRTV television on July 20, 2020, the Director General of the Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency (ARSEL) Jean Pascal NKOU stated «Fighting fraud is a matter of survival for the electricity sector"
In an effort to come to blows with the situation, ENEO has set out for a clean-up and normalization of distribution and commercial facilities amongst them meters. According to the company, this move will involve safety of the network, customer comfort and empowerment, social justice, sanctions, the judiciary and losses reduction in the section.
"The fight against fraud is vital. Fraud is costly, and seriously damages the reputation and profitability of the entire electricity sector. It is, therefore, a serious threat to the achievement of the country's economic and social development objectives." ENEO reiterates.
The company has insisted on her commitment to confront fraud heads on. "Eneo Cameroon is committed, with the full support of the government, to intensify the fight against fraud on the electricity network. The company is working with the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, the Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency, and other stakeholders to ensure that this fight is implemented in accordance with user rights and service regulations." The briefing note states.
The company is making the outing at the time the armed conflict in the North West Region has greatly affected effective service delivery. The vandalizing of transmission lines, kidnap of workers and seizure of working vehicles have added to the difficult to reach terrain. This has certainly made work difficult for the company field staff who have now become targets thus increasing possibilities for theft and fraud.
By Bakah Derick