The introduction of a direct debit system for the payment of utility bills is just one of a series of user-friendly measures by Enemalta Corporation and the Water Services Corporation over the past three years, Investment, Industry and Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt said yesterday.
Speaking at a news conference during which the scheme was launched, Dr Gatt said the government wanted to make people’s lives as easy as possible, particularly with regard to unpopular utility bills.
Customers paying by direct debit will save Lm1 on every bill. The new scheme will allow for automatic payment and consumers will have “right of recourse”. Customers will be entitled to the right to ask for their money back without incurring any penalties, if they do not agree with a specific bill.
The direct debit system is two-way, as any overpayment would be refunded back into customers’ accounts. It is a convenient system for customers residing abroad and for those who own more than one property. The scheme is being made available to all BOV and HSBC clients.
Dr Gatt referred to smart metering, which is expected to be introduced in a few months’ time.
The tender for the project is expected to be awarded shortly.
The new Integrated Utilities Business System will allow for intelligent meters in every household to be wired up to a central system. This would not only help to curb theft of electricity, but would also allow for the introduction of new tariffs.
Minister Gatt explained that through the new system for example, people would be encouraged to try using water and electricity during off-peak hours. Asked whether this would possibly allow for cheaper bills, Dr Gatt replied in the affirmative.
Making reference to other user-friendly measures by Enemalta and WSC, Dr Gatt said that to date, about 2,300 clients were subscribed to the SMS system to receive notifications of planned power suspension. Another 3,500 clients were subscribed to the booking service for meter reading.
More information on the direct debit scheme may be obtained by calling freephone 8007-2222. Application forms may be collected from the Water Services Corporation Head Office in Luqa, or from Customer Care Centres in Freedom Square, Valletta and Triq Wara s-Sur, Victoria. They may also be downloaded at www.wsc.com.mt.