'Service charge' doesn't hold water

There is no question that addressing issues relating to water and electricity consumption in the country is one that is of great importance. This is being said given the increase in both the number of consumers as well as the amount consumed.

Devising long-term plans is critical if these resources are to be available in the future. But when embarking on such an exercise, the end-users - consumers in this case - should be integrated as part of the solution.

The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) recently introduced a new "service charge" alongside a revised version of its tariff system that aims at improving services, according to officials.

Yet the approach as such is unjustified given that customers have not been forewarned or supplied with any details as to what these "new" services entail. Consumers have rights which should not only be protected but respected as well.