New bill proposed seeking to improve utility services, enhancing consumer protection

A new bill has been proposed to the Maldives parliament that aims to improve utility services including, water, sanitation and internet. The bill seeks to empower and protect consumers.

The new bill is sponsored b y North-Galolhu MP from opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo). Although the bill was proposed on December 8, 2024, the work on this remains on pause as the parliament is currently in recess.

While proposing the new bill, the North-Galolhu MP highlighted that utility services in the Maldives have been monopolized, and added the lack of healthy competition among the internet service providers undermined the rights of consumers.

The bill highlights the fiscal and other challenges consumers face in sustaining utility services once after subscribing for them.

The amendments were proposed to Articles 32 and 90 of the Consumer Protection Act of the Maldives. The amendment mandates utility service providers to provide the services of water, sanitation, and internet equivalently to all corners of a residence at the same capacity, speed, or bandwidth.

The amendment also mandates utility service providers to ensure that their services are provided equally across all the rooms or floors of a residence. The bill also penalizes the charging of additional fees on consumers to provide services at faster speeds or wider bandwidths.

Additionally, service providers can be legally ordered to provide services to consumers should there be any breaches to the said amendments of the Consumer Protection Act, by way of lodging complaints with the Consumer Ombudsmen and by seeking court warrants. The amendment to Article 30 of the act allows consumers to seek compensation for damages.

Utility services are currently provided by both State Electric Company (STELCO) and Fenaka Corporation, while internet services are provided by Dhiraagu and Ooredoo Maldives.