UAE | General
Utility bills climb with new Ras Al Khaimah tarrifs
Emiratis and expatriates here complained about their increasing electricity and water bills despite reducing consumption.
- By Nasouh Nazzal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 22:50 November 8, 2008
Ras Al Khaimah: Emiratis and expatriates here complained about their increasing electricity and water bills despite reducing consumption.
Several residents said they have been reducing utilities consumption ever since the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) applied its tariffs slab for electricity and water consumption.
Residents said electricity and water bills have gone up by at least 50 per cent.
Many consumers lodged complaints with Fewa claiming mistakes in the accounts, but the authority dismissed them.
Residents also claimed that the electricity and water bills they receive are much higher than the bills their counterparts receive in other emirates.
H.Y, an Egyptian national, standing in a queue at the Fewa branch here to pay, said that earlier he used to use two airconditioners and used to get a monthly bill of Dh400 to Dh500.
However, with the new rates he is getting a bill of Dh1,100. He said this bill came despite using one airconditioner in the house.
He also complained that he spends an hour in the queue to pay the minimum the cashier asks for retaining the utilities' connection. He said he avoids the post office which demands the entire bill to be paid with Dh2 in additional charges.
People here believe that they are paying more than others in other emirates.
They claimed that they are paying higher charges for water which they never use for drinking and cooking.
Conserving resources
They complained that the water in Ras Al Khaimah was salty and that they buy their needs of water for drinking and cooking, but still water charges have gone up dramatically.
A senior official at Fewa said that consumer has the choice to decide on his consumption.
The new tariff slab for electricity and water was ideal for reducing consumption. He called on the consumers to reduce their consumption in order to conserve resources.
Residents claimed that bills they receive are much higher than bills received in other emirates.
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