The vandalizing of electrical infrastructure of Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) is costing the company more than three million dollars annually. To discourage the occurrence of such cases, EDM is investing in community involvement in patrol activities of the Transmission Posts (PT) electric current.

But on the other hand, EDM relies on the support of the media "which is an important vehicle in our interaction with customers," according to the company's Director of Revenue Protection and Loss Control, Amilton Alissone.

The source was speaking this Monday, in Maputo, at the launch of the annual contest "EDM-45 Years Journalism Award", where he acknowledged that, in addition to the losses to the company, the vandalizing of infrastructure has left many families without electricity.

"The company loses the opportunity to sell its energy because it is out of equipment to do so, and not infrequently we have received customers who complain because of damage to their appliances due to vandalization and theft of materials," he said.

According to the manager, these issues motivated the company to organize a journalism contest, mainly because of the crucial role that the media plays in mobilizing communities to combat the phenomenon.

"In this first edition, journalistic articles that deal exclusively with energy theft and the vandalizing of electric infrastructures, which are the company's major concerns, are eligible for the award," he said.

Pieces published in the different media in Mozambique in the period between January 1st and August 31st of the current year are eligible.