SINGAPORE – Restaurant chain Paradise Group was fined $530,000 on Friday (June 24) for tampering with its restaurants’ gas meter installations and dishonestly consuming gas, Energy Market Authority (EMA) said in a press statement.
In March 2012, City Gas detected an abnormally low consumption of gas at Taste Paradise, a restaurant at the ION Orchard shopping mall. City Gas and SP PowerGrid (SPPG) then carried out an inspection and found that the restaurant’s gas meter installation had been tampered with.
First, the lock on the gas meter bypass valve was found to be different from those used by SPPG. Secondly, the bypass valve of the gas meter installation had also been opened, allowing gas to flow without registering on the meter. The bypass valve is to allow for maintenance works without disrupting gas supply.
According to the statement, subsequent inspections carried out at 23 other Paradise Group restaurants in April 2012 also uncovered similar tampering of their gas meter installations.
The group faces 29 charges altogether.
City Gas estimated that the meter tampering by Paradise Group had cost the gas supplier over $600,000 worth of gas. The fine of $530,000 is in addition to the cost of gas illegally consumed and recoverable by City Gas.
Mr Yeo Yek Seng, Deputy Chief Executive (Regulation) of the Energy Market Authority (EMA) said: “Our gas supply is an essential utility. Theft of utilities is unacceptable and results in other consumers having to pay more. Tampering of meters may also possibly disrupt gas supply and pose safety risks. EMA will take firm action against anyone who tampers with their gas meters and tries to dishonestly consume gas”.
debwong@sph.com.sg
