Protesters gather outside Velidhoo Fenaka office, claiming electricity bills are "skinning the public alive"
Residents across various islands are protesting outside Fenaka offices following unusually high electricity bills issued after the month of Ramadan. While citizens allege that utility companies are inflating charges to recoup discounts provided during the holy month, the service providers maintain that the spike is due to increased consumption caused by extreme heat. As the opposition expresses concern over the issue, the public is demanding an immediate review of the billing and a swift resolution to the crisis.
Residents of N. Velidhoo hold a protest near the island's Fenaka office. | Raajjemv graphics
Residents of N. Velidhoo staged a protest outside the island’s Fenaka office on Wednesday, following concerns over unusually high electricity bills received after the recent month of Ramadan.
Protesters in Velidhoo gathered outside the Fenaka office today, carrying posters with various slogans and accusing the government of "skinning the public alive" with exorbitant electricity bills. Reports indicate that the residents demonstrated at the office to demand an explanation from Fenaka regarding the sudden surge in electricity costs.
Residents of Velidhoo, along with people from various other islands across the Maldives, are expressing frustration over a significant surge in electricity bills following the month of Ramadan. Some consumers have gone as far as to allege that utility providers Fenaka and STELCO have manipulated the billing figures.
Residents of R. Angolhitheemu have gathered in front of the local Fenaka office to protest a significant spike in electricity bills. Protesters labeled the inflated charges as a deception, asserting that their actual usage does not justify such high amounts. They have called on the authorities to conduct fresh meter readings to rectify the discrepancies.
Furthermore, the opposition MDP staged a protest near the STELCO headquarters on Friday night, following public outcry over electricity bills that surged significantly this month after the expiration of the Ramadan discounts.
People complaining about their electricity bills allege that the government intentionally manipulated the charges to offset the losses incurred from Ramadan discounts. However, Fenaka has stated that the bills were prepared in accordance with the same standard procedures used in any other month.
Utility companies maintain that the recent surge in electricity bills is due to increased consumption within households during this period. However, members of the public argue that their electricity usage this month should be lower than during Ramadan, asserting that the spike in billing is unacceptable.
Citizens report that many families are facing significant hardships due to the surge in electricity bills.
