After 42 years of operation, the Electricity Company of Ghana has given power to the Kpovi Police Barrier in the Ho West District.
The project is designed to improve security at the first police checkpoint in the Volta Region, which is located on contested property on the Accra-Ho route.
A 50KVA transformer, poles, overhead cables, single-phase meter, installation of streetlights, and minor rehabilitation work on the duty post at Kporvi were all part of the project, which cost around GH 101,024.26.
The Kporvi barrier was built in 1979, amid a disagreement between the inhabitants of Peki and Tsito over land ownership, to serve as a buffer between contending factions and to respond quickly to crises, according to the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Oduro-Kwateng.
According to him, the barrier has played a critical role in the region’s fight against crime.
“Since its inception, it has proven to be extremely useful in a variety of ways, including the arrest of robbery suspects and other wanted persons, the interception of arms, ammunition, narcotic drugs, and stolen goods entering and leaving the region, and the rescue of human trafficking victims, to name a few.”
“On the 10th of August 2021, our soldiers on duty at this barrier intercepted vehicle No. GC 3690 – 09 laden with about 1,300 packets of material suspected to be drugs.” The National Narcotics Control Board in Accra is in charge of the investigation, he stated.
Personnel stationed at the barrier had to overcome the lack of electricity to charge their mobile phones, walkie talkies, tazers, and other non-lethal gear, as well as hazy visibility at night, according to DCOP Oduro Kwateng.
This, he added, motivated him to appeal to the ECG two years ago, shortly after taking office, to bring energy to the barrier.
“Thankfully, Mr. Emmanuel Lumor, the new Regional General Manager, took up the request, and I am grateful that they have listened to our cries and assisted us in the provision of a transformer that can serve an entire community, the erection of poles and overhead cables, the installation of street lights, and minor renovation works such as the provision of security lights, painting, and clearing of the area,” he said.
“They’ve also given us with standing fans for the employees,” he continued. This will provide some relief for them, particularly when the weather is hot. ECG has truly demonstrated the essence of the saying “security is a shared responsibility!”
Emmanuel Lumor, ECG’s Volta and Oti Regional Manager, noted that the project is part of an effort to make the Volta region a centre of great customer service.
He believes the idea would provide respite to the cops who patrol the checkpoint.
“We think that once the police are at ease, they will convey their affection to our clients, who will then patronize our services legitimately to boost the company’s financial health,” he added.
Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, was instrumental in linking the security facility to power, according to him.
He emphasized the power distribution company’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly climate in the region.
“In light of this, I sincerely request that everyone embrace our goal and provide the Region with proposals to help make it a reality.”
Mr. Lumor stated that several extension and system upgrade initiatives are being performed in order to provide power to unserved villages and assure a steady supply.
“We have also taken tactics like intensified vegetation management efforts and transformer inspections servicing our consumers to guarantee we have a robust distribution network to deliver safe, dependable, and quality power services,” he said.
He, on the other hand, voiced his displeasure with the recent rash of illegal connections, claiming that it “affects the distribution system by overloading transformers, which eventually results to transformer breakdowns and outages.”
He advised against using illicit connections and stated that the ECG had the right to punish anyone discovered doing so.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious people to their local ECG office or to call the national taskforce at 0551444011.
“Anyone who provides us with accurate information to discover any criminality will get a 6% fee on whatever sum we retrieve,” he said.
Dr. Archibald Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, emphasized the importance of the project, stating that road users and police officers will feel secure near the barrier.
“I’m confident the existence of electricity will push the police service to build up a divisional structure here,” he said, adding that the facility may be expanded in the future to meet other critical security demands.
Dr. Letsa, who donated the lamps that were installed at the barrier, praised all parties for their contributions to the project’s success.