Kenya ghost customers now enjoy Tanesco power

TANZANIA Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) in Tarime District has uncovered dishonest customers at the border of Sirari who connect power to ghost elements including those in the neighbouring Kenya, causing the firm to lose millions of shillings.

The recent operation conducted by Tanesco around Sirari downtown uncovered some five legitimate customers who after being connected used other illegal means and ways to connect power to some third unregistered elements across the border. 

 The Tarime District Tanesco Manager, Beatus Kebwe, said in Tarime that three Sirari customers were apprehended in connection with illegally reselling of power to their neighbours.

 ‘’The inspectors were of the view that the unscrupulous customers had decided to hide the illegal power cables several meters underground to avoid detection by the relevant official and would-be whistle blowers from leaking the information to Tanesco officials,’’ Kebwe said.

 He explained that the trio’s electricity power lines were disconnected with immediate effect and they were ordered to report to the district’s office to receive calculations of their penalties according to the stipulated regulations. 

They had been supposed to pay a total of shs 2,179,460.00 for the illegal power used. Kebwe noted that the other two untrustworthy customers were found to have tempered with the metres causing inconsistency in the amount of units shown by the gadgets and what they actually used.

 ‘’The suspects’ electricity power lines were also disconnected with immediate effect,” said Kebwe. He stressed that all suspected customers who were served with the notice should execute the fine as per the power utility’s directions in 14 days from the dates they were served with the notices.

 Otherwise, stern measures would be taken including the possibility of being taken to court. Kebwe urged all potential clients to exercise honesty while entering into power connection agreements with TANESCO. 

 They should also desist from using illegal technicians known as ‘vishoka’ and seek professional advice from proper technicians legally approved to conduct wiring in their homes.