UAE | Government
Federal National Council asked to look into disparity in utility costs
Member seeks minister's clarification
- By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
- Published: 00:00 February 22, 2012
Abu Dhabi Social justice requires, among other things, that every citizen is supplied with electricity and water at equal rates, the Federal National Council (FNC) heard Tuesday.
Members of the House said it was unacceptable that citizens pay different costs for the same service only because the prices were set by local and federal authorities.
Ahmad Mohammad Rahma Al Shamsi, a member from Ajman, sought clarifications from Mohammad Bin Dha'en Al Hamili, Minister of Energy and Chairman of the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa), about the disparity in electricity and water costs in different emirates.
"It is against the principle of social justice as stipulated in the UAE constitution to allow citizens in certain emirates to pay 5.5 fils per kw of electricity, while others pay 7.5 fils," Al Shamsi said, citing the example of Sharjah where electricity is supplied to citizens at two different rates — one by the local provider and the other by the federal authority.
The energy minister said the UAE was still subsidising the sector despite a surge in oil and gas prices, adding that social justice might not be restricted to just equal rates for utilities.
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