Emiratis find Fewa power supply fees hike unfavourable to them

Ras Al Khaimah - A Fewa official asked nationals "not to make a mountain out of a molehill", as their power bills as already amply subsidised

Published: Wed 27 Jul 2016, 9:12 PM

Last updated: Wed 27 Jul 2016, 11:16 PM

Emirati nationals will now have to shell out more for their power supply, due to a newly introduced fees scheme.
The amendment means an increase in fees by Dh300 per kilowatt, and is said to be in line with the spike in prices locally and abroad.
Abdullah Salem, a UAE national said he would have to pay Dh30,000 instead of Dh10,000 now, due to the new fee structure. "We have to pay Dh300 per kilowatt based on the new amendment introduced to power supply fees."
"This is too much for us, the difference is too big," said Ali Rashid, another national, urging the authorities to review the fee hike, or introduce a smaller hike.
The Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa), in response, clarified on Wednesday that it already subsidies the power supply to UAE nationals by at least 50 per cent. "This is in response to complaints by some Emirati nationals about the recent power supply fee hike. The new fee is not that huge," said Mohammed Saleh, Director General of Fewa. "The spike is due to the escalating expenses borne by Fewa for supply materials and payments to contractors."
Fewa is suffering big losses due to the previous supply fees, he added. "The authority has, therefore, studied the issue, and come up with the new fees amendment, yet it continues to give full consideration to Emirati nationals."
The fees now match those charged by equivalent authorities in the country. "Nationals are urged not to make a mountain out of a molehill, as the fees are still affordable compared to other entities," Saleh pointed out, adding that water and electricity supply fees have not been changed since 2002.
Fewa is also easing it up for Emiratis by letting them pay fees due in instalments, he disclosed. "This way they won't have to pay it all at gone go.
Eng Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Directorate of Housing in Sharjah, said that the local government continues to subsidise water and electricity supply fees for Emiratis, under instruction from His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com