MORE than BD1 billion has been collected by the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) from bills issued during the sixth legislative term until October, Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Yasser Humaidan has revealed.
More than BD600 million came from non-residential units, around BD300m from non-subsidised residential ones, and more than BD100m from subsidised ones, he said responding to a question by MP Hassan Ibrahim.
The authority issued around 900,000 bills from November 2022 to October 2024, of which 560,000 bills were issued for non-residential units, around 270,000 for unsubsidised residential ones, and more than 100,000 bills for subsidised units, the minister added.
“EWA follows precise procedures in collecting the dues owed by the subscribers, including informing them of the amount they have to pay in the bill, and should any delay happen, a notification message is displayed in the bill. Several text messages are also sent to the subscribers to remind them to pay the due amounts before resorting to the ultimate procedure, which is cutting power,” Mr Humaidan explained.
“This process lasts 53 days from the date of issuing the bill to the last day before cutting electricity,” he noted.
“The authority provides payment plans for subscribers, including the fixed deduction agreement, which helps subscribers pay their dues regularly throughout the year within a fixed budget. The authority also allows some defaulting cases the possibility of paying the arrears in installments according to the systems and procedures approved for dealing with these cases,” he said.
Regarding current meter readings, the minister confirmed that they are real readings taken remotely without the need for a meter reader.
“This is done through smart meters that measure consumption accurately. These meters are approved within the global standards and requirements for performance efficiency thanks to the technological features they have. These characteristics contribute to providing accurate data that helps improve network management and measure the quality of electricity for subscribers,” he added.
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