Some UAQ residents face blackout for failing to update data

Photo used only for illustrative purpose

Many residents of Umm Al Quwain complained that the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) has cut off power supply to their houses without prior notice to push them to update their data.
Mohammed Othman, a Sudanese expatriate, said many of those faced the disconnection had no dues to pay. "They cut electricity to force tenants update their data and pay a certain deposit."
"All our tenancy contracts, which are attested by the civic body here, included all the required data," said Egyptian resident Ibrahim Askar. "What kind of updated data do they want then?"
Mustafa Barakat, a Syrian, said he pay his utility bills on a regular basis. "There are no dues pending, and even if some have, this is not an excuse for any entity to cut off electricity, especially without an advance notice."
Ikram Khan, a Pakistani shopkeeper, said they would have updated their data if asked, and that there was no need to disconnect electricity.
"The unexpected disruption in electricity has caused us heavy loss, as all frozen products have turned bad, and become unfit for consumption."
Iraqi national Ali Qassim said he was shocked when he called the emergency section of Fewa to inquire about the power outage. "They said it is due to tenants' failure to update their data with the authority."
"I didn't have the documents required such as the attested tenancy contract with me and Fewa offices close in the evening by the time I reached home from work. We had to spend one full day without electricity," he added.
George Danial, Indian, said he was never asked to update his data with Fewa. "When I came to know the reason, I did not have the deposit required," he said, noting that he had no pending dues to pay."
Khaleej Times approached Fewa for comment, but got no reply.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Umm Al Quwain