Electricity has been restored to users whose service was cut off due to late bill payments. Some of them delayed payments citing inflated bills while others, mostly businesses, due to loss of revenue.
The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) told the electricity distribution and supply companies that they should not cut the service provided to any subscriber, even if there are arrears pending. “If the service has been cut off, it must be restored immediately,” the APSR said on Friday.
"It is unfortunate that the electricity was cut off in the height of summer. Some citizens were unable to pay the required amount due to the difficult situation,” said a citizen.
Some citizens argued the matter is not about users being unwilling to pay the bill charges. “The problem is that the bills are inflated and there is no proper explanation from the concerned parties,” said a subscriber.
Some customers argued that the fuse was removed despite them agreeing to pay the bill immediately online at the spot.
Some small businessmen told the Observer that they are unable to pay bills (both for home and the shop) due to the long period of lockdown that has hit their livelihood.
The authority urged subscribers to submit their complaints if the service is cut off or any other matter to the offices of licensed companies in the different governorates or their affiliated call centres and the authority’s accounts in various social media or through Hasel platform.”
Meanwhile, the Nama Group on Thursday said that it had extended the period for updating subscriber data until the end of August.
“All subscribers should update their data through the websites of the electricity companies, which will ensure that the users will get the right tariff,” the Nama Group said.
Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC) in a statement said that the company has restored electricity to subscribers who were previously disconnected from the service. All subscribers can contact through the toll-free number 80070008 if the service is not restored until the issuance of this statement or to inquire about the facilities available in the process of repaying arrears.”
Several other companies also restored the power supply to subscribers that were previously disconnected,” the respective statements said.
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