In response to growing concerns regarding the issuance of two separate electricity bills for the month of Ramadan, the State Electric Company (Stelco) has clarified its actions, stating that the decision is in the best interest of customers and aims to improve the overall billing process.
Stelco’s Managing Director, Hussain Fahmi, emphasized that the company’s 75-year history of national service reflects its commitment to transparency and honesty. He assured the public that the company has no intention of deceiving customers.
The decision to send two bills, rather than one consolidated bill, was made to resolve a backlog caused by a 20 to 25-day delay in bill deliveries following the readings of the previous billing cycle. Fahmi explained that one of the bills will reflect the consumption from the previous cycle, while the second bill will cover the entire period of Ramadan, from its first day to the end of the month. This approach, he explained, is designed to provide greater clarity for customers and help streamline the billing process.
“The dates of the bill readings will be clearly visible on the bill, ensuring transparency,” Fahmi said, addressing concerns from the public. “The objective of sending two bills is to allow for a proper consolidation of the Ramadan usage, while also including the government’s announced discount, which will benefit all customers.”
Fahmi further reassured customers that they will have 30 days to settle their bills without facing any penalties, providing them ample time to manage any potential financial strain.
The government’s discount policy, which is being applied to electricity bills during Ramadan, offers a minimum of 10% off based on electricity usage over the past year. Stelco also plans to extend additional discounts for any excess consumption, ensuring that customers fully benefit from the discount scheme.
“The initiative will not only remove the backlog but also provide customers with an opportunity to review their meter readings, which will increase their confidence in the accuracy of the billing process,” Fahmi added.
The dual-billing approach, according to Stelco, is a temporary measure designed to ensure that customers can fully benefit from the government’s Ramadan electricity discount while resolving existing delays in the billing system. The company remains committed to providing fair and transparent services as it continues to serve the public during this holy month.
