On this Thursday 07th February, 2019, during the regular inspections conducted by Rwanda Energy Group Limited (REG) , LAGUNA apart hotel, a building located in Muhima Sector, Nyarugenge District was caught red-handed stealing electricity.
The caught apartment was accused of bypassing the meter for an estimated period of a year. The suspected owner of the apartment was caught and revealed to media during the ongoing meter inspection operations intensified by REG in partnership with Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
These inspections objective is to detect and leverage electricity theft to ensure that the suspects are caught and brought to books of account.
“REG in partnership security organs has taken measures to curb electricity theft across the country because the issue affects not only the company but also the country in general and hinders the national development” disclosed Wilson Karegyeya, the Director for Commercial Services at Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL).
Statistics shows that Commercial electricity losses are still high with a percentage of around 6.5 of the electricity generated in the country and out of which a big percentage emanates from electricity theft.
Karegyeya reminded the public to be cautious about electricity theft since tough measures have been taken, adding that there are penalties and fines.
Theft of electricity is criminal and is punishable by the law N°52/2018 of 13/08/2018 modifying Law Nº21/2011 of 23/06/2011 governing electricity in Rwanda as modified to date.
