EWA holding off on overdue bills for Bahraini citizens, but shift to ‘privatisation’ looms

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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Power cuts have been kept at bay for over a year, as the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) refrains from pursuing overdue bills, focusing instead on building public trust, says Collections Head Noura Al Neama.

She reassured citizens that while unpaid bills aren’t “currently” being enforced, there’s ongoing collaboration with banks to ease the strain for those in arrears. Muharraq Municipal Council member Fadhel Al Oud, however, warned that a shift towards privatisation could see the authority adopting draconian debt collection tactics, raising fears of cutoffs that could push many into borrowing to settle their debts.

At a council session yesterday, Al Neama shed light on the authority’s approach, explaining that it needs a steady revenue stream to maintain services, hence the recent introduction of a fixed deduction service to make payments manageable.

Meanwhile, partnerships with local banks, including the National Bank of Bahrain, offer low-interest loans with extended repayment terms, providing a lifeline for citizens grappling with overdue bills.

Ongoing talks with CrediMax may further ease the load, giving customers the option to pay off bills interest-free when using their card.

Al Oud voiced his unease over potential privatisation, cautioning that turning the EWA into a private entity could mean draconian enforcement or even cutoffs for those behind on payments — a situation he believes would force many to take out loans, a burden they’re ill-prepared to shoulder.

Transition

He noted that recent news suggests EWA’s transition to a private company may be implemented in the near future. “A repayment plan would be far better than driving people into debt,” he argued, noting that citizens deserve relief from mounting financial pressures rather than added burdens.

Adding to the debate, council member Ahmed Al Moqahwi brought attention to sudden power outages reported by residents. He urged the authority to notify council members in advance of any planned disconnections, allowing them to assist residents in finding solutions before the lights go out.

Unacceptable

Al Moqahwi made it clear that unexpected cut-offs are unacceptable, particularly for families who need time to address their payments.

In response, Al Neama reaffirmed her earlier assurances, noting that no disconnections have occurred since the new system was introduced last year — a move intended to strengthen the authority’s bond with the public.

She added that citizens now receive reminders of overdue amounts and deadlines on their bills, with additional alerts sent out beforehand.

Ali Fareed, Head of Customer Services, explained that the call centre operates 24/7, allowing customers to set up payment plans.