fp Turks and Caicos

Electrical wires carrying hundreds of volts of electrical current, hanging down between homes in local neighbourhoods are putting residents, especially children, at extremely high risk.

“Illegal power connections can result in injury or even death, particularly for children playing in these unprotected areas, where uninsulated and unearthed wires run across floors and across outdoor swampy pathways,” PPC said in a Dec. 1 statement announcing their crackdown on illegal power connections.

During a visit to a site in the Blue Hills area where a significant number or properties had installed illegal power lines, PPC Vice President of Customer & Corporate Service Allan Robinson pointed out the risks of the activity. “There is a significant danger during lightning, they could catch on fire or contact with the wires can also result in serious injury.”

In some instances landlords are even collecting fees from unknowing tenants for electricity which is being stolen from PPC. Robinson noted that PPC has reported the dangerous connections found in recent weeks to the Electrical Commissioners Office, which is responsible for policing the illegal hookups.

However, he added it is important for their safety that residents report any suspicious electrical boxes or wires. “The red locks indicate the service is not active, so if you see a box with the red tag being used it is hooked up illegally.”

In the past two weeks, PPC has taken action against more than 40 businesses and residents participating in these illegal activities.

“PPC has zero tolerance for persons who have blatant disregard for the law and the safety of individuals,” PPC CEO Eddinton Powell said of the illegal and dangerous practice. According to PPC, these practices are happening in several communities including Kew Town, Five Cays and Blue Hills.

PPC says unidentified sources have informed them that electricians assist with these illegal connections in some cases, and this act goes strongly against the moral code of professional electricians and will eventually generate a lack of trust in the industry. “We suspect electricians are the only ones who would risk their lives in this way,” Robinson added.

PPC urges those residents who would like to regularize their illegal service to visit PPC’s Customer Service Centre.