50% Sewa deposit relief to tackle fallout of coronavirus

SHARJAH: The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority ( Sewa) announced that the deposit amount of new consumption accounts for residential projects for individuals and economic, commercial and industrial establishments would be reduced by 50 per cent with the aim of supporting all sectors to overcome the economic and social impact resulting from COVID-19 repercussions.

The decision comes in implementation of the kind directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

The incentives offered by the Government of Sharjah to all sectors contribute significantly to alleviating the crisis and overcoming the challenges faced by these sectors, Saeed Sultan Al Suwaidi, Sewa Chairman, said, noting that Sewa would continue to provide incentives over the coming months until the crisis is finally overcome.

Al Suwaidi affirmed that the decision to reduce the deposit aims at encouraging investment, increasing the competitiveness of all sectors and easing the burden of Sharjah inhabitants. He pointed out that Sewa always seeks to strengthen the relationship with customers and identify their requirements, adding that Sewa has many community initiatives that can benefit all sectors such as ‘Consult me before you start’ and ‘Energy Efficiency and Leak Detection.

He pointed out that the incentives provided by Sewa to individuals’ accounts included reducing the deposit by 50 per cent for villas and apartments, provided that the deposit is no less than Dhs1000. As for the accounts of commercial and industrial establishments, the deposit amount will be reduced by Dhs1000 for the deposits ranging from Dhs2,000 to Dhs5,000. The deposit amount for the new accounts ranging between Dhs5001 to Dhs10,000 will be reduced by Dhs2,000, while the deposit in excess of Dhs10,001 will be reduced by Dhs3,000, he said.

Meanwhile, Hamed Tahir Al Haj, Customer Service Manager at Sewa, explained that the new incentives included also the payment of the deposit in installments. Deposits between Dhs2,000 and Dhs5,000 can be paid in 3 monthly installments, while those between Dhs5,001 and Dhs10,000 can be paid in 4 monthly installments, he said. Deposits between 10,001 and Dhs100,000 can be paid in 5 monthly installments, while those in excess of Dhs100,000 can be paid in 6 monthly installments. He added.

On the other hand, in line with the development projects taking place in the city of Khor Fakkan, Sewa announced the operation of the Khor Fakkan tunnel station, with a voltage of 11/33 kilovolts, which will link the Shees area network to the main electricity network.

Operations at The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) station were upgraded with a voltage of 11/33 kilovolts, as some of the buildings of the academy were previously fed by two temporary feeders of 11 kilovolts from the Yarmouk and Qadisiyah stations. The station also contributes to achieving the stability of the electrical current of the academy and its facility and neighbouring projects.

Saeed Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Sewa, confirmed that development projects related to electricity, water and gas services are continuing in all regions in the Emirate of Sharjah, under the directives of Dr Sheikh Sultan and under the follow-up of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council.

He pointed out that operating the tunnels and the academy stations in Khor Fakkan would serve development projects and added that this is a qualitative addition to serving the city’s residents and visitors.

Eng. Ahmed Al Mulla, Director of Sewa in Khor Fakkan, indicated that the operation of the new tunnel station would increase the efficiency of lighting the new Khor Fakkan Road. Besides, the new tunnel station will serve the residents of the Shees area, and the development projects in the area, as the Shees network, will be linked to the main network of Khor Fakkan.

This would also achieve stability for the networks and allow the possibility of expanding development projects, as well as upgrading the security and safety standards provided in the station.

In 2020, the Common Services Management of Sharjah Electricity Water and Gas Authority received 21,800 requests to approve plans and deliver permanent and temporary services to commercial, residential, industrial, governmental and agricultural buildings in the city of Sharjah.

Saeed Sultan said that the Authority is currently working to review and develop procedures and electronic transformation to facilitate the customers and take the necessary measures to provide materials and supplies to deliver services on time.

Maryam Obaid bin Hashem, Director of the Common Services Management, explained that the applications received by the department during the year 2020 included 14,308 requests for approval of plans and project designs, including 6,365 applications for approval of electrical schemes, a number of 3,845 approval of water schemes and 4,099 applications for approval of natural gas schemes.