Unpaid guesthouse power bills reach MVR 1 million, STELCO says
Fahmy said he does not see cutting off the services of those who do not pay their electricity bills as a solution.
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Some guesthouses have been given the opportunity to pay their outstanding electricity bills worth at least MVR 1 million, STELCO said Sunday.
STELCO Managing Director Hussain Fahmy told Atoll Times that there are no unpaid electricity bills of ordinary households in the islands where the company provides electricity services.
Fahmy said there are businesses that do not pay their electricity bills consistently and such places will be identified and the payment will be made in instalments.
"If we don't make an agreement, we have to cut off the electricity. We will not provide services to a customer who does not come to a payment plan. The same will happen to other customers," he said.
Fahmy said he does not see cutting off the services of those who do not pay their electricity bills as a solution.
"We want to work with them, give them a payment plan and if they are paying, we will provide the service. However, if we cannot reach an agreement, we will cut it off," he said.
Fahmy assured that he would not do anything out of order to benefit anyone. He said electricity is a basic service and there will be no discrimination in providing it.
Whether it is a senior government official or a member of parliament, electricity will be provided equally, he said.
“No one will be discriminated against in this process,” Fahmy said.
STELCO provides electricity to 30 islands, many of which have extensive guesthouse businesses.
"There are a million in some guesthouses [who have not paid their bills]. What we are doing is sending [notices] to cut off the electricity. When they do, they will come to us. Then we are going to an agreement," he said.
"The damage is too much. Guests will go there. The damage to the economy is too much. Employees will lose their jobs. The country will lose its income. [Power cuts] are not the solution."
Fahmy said some places have been stuck without paying their electricity bills for many years. It has increased, especially after the Covid outbreak, he said.
