EAC loses €10 million over faulty poles

The electricity authority (EAC) has incurred a €10 million loss because of faulty electricity poles imported between 2005 and 2008, parliament heard on Tuesday.
The 33,000 poles did not meet the specifications regarding the quality of the wood and the insulation. The EAC paid €4.0 million for their purchase.
Half have already been deemed faulty and accidents had occurred.
EAC chairman Othonas Theodoulou said the suppliers and company officials who handled the matter could be held accountable though some have since retired.
He added that instructions have been given to the company’s legal adviser to start the process for recouping the loss and an administrative probe into the matter is nearing its conclusion.
MPs also heard that electricity provided to Turkish Cypriots without charge costs around €1.4 million a year.
The power is mainly supplied to the areas of Pyla and Pergamos.
Theodoulou said the state had the first say on the matter.

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