PDS expands operations in Volta/Oti regions
The Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana has embarked on expansion works in the Volta/Oti regions to cover some communities without electricity.
Between January and May 2019, the company is said to have spent a total of GH¢15,602,152.03 on improving its system and expansion projects in the region.
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The amount represents the cost of major works, transformer injections and replacements carried out to extend supply to communities and improve the network serving customers within the 11 operational districts of the PDS in the Volta and Oti regions.
The communities that benefited from these projects, according to Mr Benjamin Obeng Antwi, the Public Relations Officer for Volta/Oti PDS, were in Ho, Hohoe, Kpeve, Kpando, Akatsi, Sogakope, Denu, Keta, Dambai, Nkwanta and Jasikan.
The others were Dzodze, Penyi, Ahamasu, Kpando Darfour, Sovie, Peki Dzake, Poase Cement, Dadiase, Kpando, Tadzinu and Gbi Akplamafu.
Major development
Giving a break down of activities, Mr Delali Oklu, General Manager for PDS, Volta/Oti regions, said “a sum of GH¢11, 472,069.29 was spent on 23 major development projects in all the 11 operational districts of the PDS in the Volta and Oti regions.
Some of these projects include upgrading the 33KV Nkonya feeder from Alavanyo Dzogbedze to Akplamafu, creating a link from Gbi-Akplamafu to Gbi-Wegbe and creating a separate mini hydro dam at Alavanyo Abeheniase to supply residents of the community”.
Mr Oklu said the expansion work was in line with the company's mission to deliver quality and reliable electricity services backed by a customer-oriented workforce to propel Ghana’s socio-economic development.
He further disclosed that 36 Low Voltage extension works were carried out by the company in some communities within the Volta and Oti regions at a cost of GH¢3,044,717.89.
“The extensions were done in developing areas where people are now settling as well as communities without electricity”, he said, explaining that works carried out included planting of poles and stringing of Low Voltage lines for prospective customers to get power.
Overloaded transformers
Mr Jones Makumator, the Regional Engineer for PDS, Volta/Oti regions also mentioned that eight transformer injection, which works at a cost of GH¢692,260.95, were carried out by the PDS to relieve the capacity of some overloaded transformers leading to improved voltage profile and quality of supply to customers.
According to him, “the company has also spent GH¢393,103.9 on replacing burnt and damaged transformers due to lightening surges.
He, however, complained that nefarious activities like unlawful entry into the company's networks and illegal connections by some recalcitrant customers had also caused damage to transformers in communities like Fodome Helo, Liati Wote, Dzorgbekope, Barracks Newtown, Akorme Gbogame, Toviga, Dodo Amanfrom Market, Kwame Akura and Nyagbo Sroe.
Mr Makumator warned the general public to desist from unlawful entry into our networks and illegal connections since these actions were criminal offences and punishable by law.
Fire resistant fabric
Outlining the company’s new approach in dealing with bush fires which often led to burnt poles, Mr Makumator said the company would engage in wrapping a fire retardant fabric (fire resistant fabric) around poles and a two meter (2m) radius fire belt around the poles during bush clearing activities.
He added that there were more investments lined up by the company to make its electricity network more robust and efficient, especially during rainstorms.