KATIMA MULILO – Northern Namibia’s regional Electricity Destributor (Nored)’s acting CEO Toivo Shovaleka says the company is concerned at the increase in illegal connections in Zambezi region. 

He said  during the ongoing pre-paid meter upgrade in the region, it was  established that 77 meters had been bypassed.

“We are concerned about the high number of meters that have been bypassed or tampered with in Zambezi region. This is 22% of the total meters in the entire Nored area of operation. This is theft of electricity and negatively impacts on the business sustainability of Nored,” said Shovaleka.

He made these remarks during the inauguration of the 33kv medium voltage overhead Kongola-Masambo power line at Masambo in the Kongola constituency of Zambezi yesterday. 

“I appeal to beneficiaries of this locality and customers across our area of operation to stop engaging in illegal activities and unsafe practices such as electricity theft through bypasses, tampering and illegal connections,” he pleaded.

He added that such practices do not only have significant financial implications to Nored, but can also lead to electrocution and unnecessary injury. Shovaleka also appealed to residents to “report tampering or illegal connections immediately to your nearest police station or Nored office.”

He pointed out that during the current software upgrade Nored anticipates upgrading a total of 109 862 pre-paid meters by the end of November. So far, 102 867 meters had rolled over across Nored’s area of operation, including Zambezi, representing 94% progress.  In Zambezi, 10 917 meters have been upgraded, 112 meters are to be upgraded, 1 085 were not at home, and 1 047 non-complying legacy meters will be replaced.  

“Those customers who were not at home during the upgrading of the meters and whose meters are not yet upgraded, must report to our nearest office,” he advised.

Another concern is the increase of copper wire theft in Katima Mulilo, which has led to major power interruptions since the beginning of the year.

*Aron Mushaukwa is an information officer of the MICT in Zambezi region.