The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), has suspended the withdrawal of their field services in Tamale for two weeks.

This follows an intervention by the Northern Regional Minister and engagements with staff and stakeholders over the strike.

The staff of NEDCo had embarked on a strike to demand better protection following what they called attacks on them by residents.

A joint communiqué issued by the Volta River Authority (VRA) and NEDCo said “residents in the Metropolis are bent on preventing VRA/NEDCo staff from doing any revenue mobilization activities.”

A permanent suspension of NEDCO’s strike in Tamale is hinged on the following outstanding matters;

• The arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the machete attacks on the NEDCo team that was on official duty at Korblimahagu on Tuesday, March 08, 2022
• The provision of military cover for their field operations especially those that hinge on revenue collection and protection, namely, disconnections, monitoring for power theft, and the installation of Smart pre-payment meters
• The deepening of ongoing community engagements aimed at community ownership of the security of NEDCo field staff while they are on the field embarking on their legitimate duties.

Staff in Tamale withdrew some services in September 2021 following similar attacks and the vandalization of their Tamale Area Office by some youth in Tamale.

This led to some parts of Tamale being without power for days.

The staff resumed full services after several engagements and assurances from local government and traditional authorities.