Sewa modifies billing, residents confused

The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) clarified confusion among the residents over utilities bills, following its launching of a new billing system which include four cycles.

Residents who spoke to Khaleej Times couldn't figure out the changes in the billing system, as some of them received two bills at a time.

Dr Rashid Al Leem, Chairman of the Sewa, explained that the authority has recently adjusted the current meter reading and bill generation system into four cycles to ensure accuracy of billing.

He explained that before implementing the system, the authority has made announcement in all the media and also sent text messages to the consumers who are registered in its system to notify them about the new billing system which requires adjustment of amounts in the beginning.

He added that the authority has launched the new billing system based on four reading cycles during the month. Each cycle will include some areas of the emirate, to ensure providing the best services to customers through briefing them on dates of the bill, the actual period and the due date.

He explained that under the new system, each cycle will cover a number of areas, ensuring accuracy of the readings, in line with the electronic bill launched by the Sewa, which aims at providing smart electronic services, preserving the environment and the application of the latest technology.

The new system will also end the issues related to meter reading errors and complaints of residents about high power bills that they received when they were on vacation. "This, in fact, has been implemented in the favour of consumers to ensure accurate reading," he assured.

The customers can also see a complete record of all the monthly bills, as well as the amounts paid electronically whenever they need and from anywhere in the world through the Sewa website, www.sewa.gov.ae.

Hamed Taher Al Haj, director of customers monitoring department, explained that consumers can find out the full details and the date of their reading session through the website and its customer service centres. They can also contact the Call Center on 991 or send a text message to 6611.

He said that the residents who were confused about the bills are those who didn't update their data in the system to receive notification and information. He called on all consumers to update their data to stay in constant contact with the authority and to obtain all information through SMS or email.

Hussain Askar, deputy director of the consumer follow-up department, pointed out that the number of consumers who updated their data via telephone reached 235,748, and those who updated their data by email reached 105,947 consumers.

Source: Khaleej Times