President waives off household utility bill fines

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced the decision to waive off fines incurred by households for overdue utility bills.

In a post on X on Sunday afternoon, the president announced that the decision was part of efforts by the administration to improve the financial situation of the general public.

“…I have decided to waive off the fines incurred for outstanding electricity and water bills of households at domestic rates in its entirety, and have informed relevant companies of this decision,” he wrote. “I have also instructed to make agreements to accommodate flexible payment schedules for outstanding bills.”

ޢާއްމު ރައްޔިތުންގެ މާލީ ޙާލަތު ރަނގަޅު ކުރުމަށްޓަކައި ސަރުކާރުން އަޅަމުންދާ ފިޔަވަޅުތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން، އިތުރު ލުޔެއް ދިނުމުގެ ގޮތުން، ޑޮމެސްޓިކް ރޭޓުގައި ހުންނަ ގޭގޭގެ ކަރަންޓު ބިލާއި ފެން ބިލުތައް ނުދެއްކި ގިނަދުވަސް ވެގެން އަރާފައިވާ ޖޫރިމަނާ އެއްކޮށް މަޢާފުކުރަން ނިންމާ…

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) March 24, 2024

The month of Ramadan is usually marked by an increase in consumption of water and electricity. But ahead of the holy month, President Muizzu announced plans to cap utility bills.

On March 4, President Muizzu said his administration had engaged in talks with STELCO, Fenaka and MWSC, and that all three state utility companies had agreed to the cap.