State Electric Company (STELCO) clarifies its decision to cut power from FAM House will be reverted after Football Association of Maldives (FAM) pays the outstanding amount in full.
FAM owes a total MVR 6.5 million in electricity bills to the utility provider, from the period of September 2019 to September 2022.
The decision was confirmed by STELCO's Managing Director Ahmed Shareef.
Power to the association's main establishment was cut on Sunday, October 23, after it failed to comply to multiple STELCO notices. The utility provider warned of further power cuts from other FAM establishments, should the association fail to settle the dues.
FAM had since commented on the issue, claiming FAM House had been used by the state as a Covid facility during the pandemic outbreak. Additionally The Scout Association of Maldives runs its operations at the establishment.
FAM, while claiming it was not responsible for the full outstanding amount, criticized STELCO for its decision to cut power, stating the utility provider was irresponsible in its decision. The association had implied the FAM House power utilization was not exclusive to it.
Shareef has since responded to FAM's criticism, noting STELCO's decision to cut power cannot be alleged as its irresponsibility.
"We cut the power due to the outstanding MVR 6.5 million in utility bills, they cannot claim we are irresponsible in our decision," Shareef said.
He also made emphasis on STELCO's efforts to improve utility services, which will be hindered if consumers failed to pay for the services acquired before due.
While directing the criticism, STELCO's MD questioned FAM for their failure to settle the outstanding payment despite the considerable elapse of time.
Earlier, a STELCO official confirms the owed MVR 6.5 million from FAM is inclusive of fines.
This is the latest in a string of unsettled utility bills by some of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs). STELCO previously claimed Public Service Media (PSM) owed MVR 80 million to the utility provider in electricity bills.
Sign In