The government has no control over the price of oil and hence the inevitable fuel surcharge.

But the government must have some kind of control over the Water Services Corporation (WSC) and the way it is dealing with the general public.

The promised “estimated bill every two months” has proved to be a monumentous flop that is driving us mad. You can never know when a bill is due and for what amount.

In mid-January I received a bill covering a six-month period May-November. The invoice total was Lm98 but since the WSC had overcharged me in the previous bills I was asked to pay only Lm45. I paid by cheque on 30 January – well within the 45-day deadline given corporation.

About four weeks later I received another bill dated 6 February. This time the bill covered the period 12 November-31 January. Invoice total Lm43… balance due Lm89! It did not take me long to find out that they were including the Lm45 of the previous bill for which they had already sent a receipt! I cannot imagine the desperation and the frustration of those thousands of customers who find difficulty even to read the meter!

I have just received another bill. This time it is the bill for my garage. Once again the bill covers a six-month period August-February and once again I have discovered that even this time I had been overcharged! In simple language the WSC is borrowing money from us without our knowledge and interest free! Those who claim that my claims are unfounded can have a look at my receipts and invoices.

Giov. DeMartino

MOSTA