The Western Regional Office of the National Security has uncovered a large stockpile of electrical materials in a surprise operation conducted at Kansawurodo, a suburb of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region.
The operation, carried out over the weekend, was based on a tip-off and led to the discovery of several valuable electrical items concealed in an uncompleted building suspected to have links to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Items recovered at the site included 46 cable drums, electrical switches, metres, metre cases, iron angle bars, and other critical components believed to be the property of ECG.
Adressing journalists on April 7, Hashim Torkonu, a National Security operative who led the team, confirmed that two individuals had been picked up for questioning.
He noted that the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the items raise concerns about possible theft or diversion of ECG materials.
“The stocks here are different from the ones that we uncovered in that private residence. That one has been owned by a contractor. The only problem we have with him is how those items got into his private residence. And secondly, what he told us was not the actual list he told us, so we are in the formative period of the investigation,” Mr. Torkonu explained.
He further added, “The regional security coordinator is going to call Accra immediately and take instructions from them on what they need to do. As of now, nobody has owned up to this. We have spoken to the residents as well; they seem not to know the owner of the goods.”
One of the suspects in custody, Evans Lartey, identified himself as a certified ECG contractor and metre supplier. He claimed to have an existing contract with the company.
“I am a metre supplier, so if the ECG needs metres, they contact the metre suppliers for the suppliers to produce the cable for them. I have a contract with the ECG,” Lartey stated.
Meanwhile, the seized items have been secured by the authorities, as investigations continue to determine the origin of the stockpile, the legitimacy of ownership, and whether the materials were acquired or stored unlawfully.
The ECG has yet to officially comment on the matter.
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