Power minister signs KD 5.1 million contract
Control devices to be installed
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 28, (Agencies): Minister of Electricity, Water and Minister of Public Works Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim signed a KD 5.1 million contract for installment of control devices at 10 main power relay stations in the district of Sabah Al-Ahmad.
The ministry said in a statement released on Thursday that the project was aimed at installing equipment for gathering and analyzing data, communication devices, batteries and chargers. The system will be linked up with the ministry telephone network.
It also indicated that there would be some modifications to the computer systems, as part of the freshlysigned deal.
Meanwhile, many people have allegedly destroyed their electricity and water meters deliberately to avoid payment; causing losses estimated at KD22.5 million to the Ministry of Electricity and Water, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting sources.
Sources pointed out the ministry has neglected the issue as it has failed to determine the actual number of damaged meters, while the new meters have yet to be added to the electronic system; thereby, making the billing and payment collection process a daunting task.
Sources disclosed some meters installed more than 10 years ago have been not been registered in the ministry and others were recorded as disconnected even if the concerned consumers still enjoy the services. Sources added the State Audit Bureau had previously asked the ministry to address the problem to avoid incurring more losses but no concrete step has been taken until now.
In other news, the Ministry of Electricity and Water will soon submit names of employees with outstanding job performance and those who rendered overtime to the State Audit Bureau for approval, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting sources.
Sources disclosed around 1,800 employees got excellent rating in their job performance evaluation reports, while those who worked extra hours totaled 800. Sources said the payment of allowances to these employees will most likely be done in June, provided there is no delay in the process of reviewing the lists which will be forwarded to the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
In another development, sources have vehemently denied rumors spread through different social networking sites on the alleged plan of the Cabinet to write off accumulated electricity and water bills of citizens. Sources stressed the executive authority has no plan to cancel these payments and the ministry will continue its campaign to ensure the consumers pay their bills within the deadline.