You will soon be able to SMS your complaint

Sharjah: Tenants in Sharjah facing electricity or water shortages will soon be able to send their complaints to authorities via a text message through a centralised service centre.

"We are currently working on implementing a centralised service centre so that customers will be able to send their complaints or inquiries though a text message, fax or an e-mail," said Al Waleed Bin Khadim, General Director of the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa).

Through the new system, customers will also be able to monitor their payment of bills and will be able to receive the latest information on any recent transactions made.

Bin Khadim said the new system will soon be implemented to cater to residents' needs but was unable to specify a date.

The first phase of improving customer services was introducing the Sewa hotline number 991, where residents can lodge all their complaints regarding gas, electricity and water, to one integrated number. Previously, the number 991 was restricted to complaints with the electricity supply, 992 was restricted to complaints regarding water, and the number 8006333 was restricted to problems with the gas connection.

Abdul Rahman Al Salman, spokesperson for Sewa, said that all the numbers are still in use because residents are still not aware of the new services available.

Recent customer service developments in Sewa include the setting up of its electronic website www.sewa.gov.ae