KUWAIT: The illegal transactions (fraud) recently discovered in the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) have reportedly been a problem there for some time , but are only "the tip of the iceberg,' with serious problems afflicting the ministry, along with a number of other government bodies, according to one consumer.

The Kuwait Times spoke to a number of expatriates in Kuwait about the issue, with one expat claiming to have paid KD 20 to a ministry debt collector in return for not cutting off his water supply. "The water collector was about to cut off my water supply, but when I offered KD 20 he left without doing so," the disgruntled expat said, adding that there are flats in his building whose tenants haven't paid any electricity bills for 15 years, bribing the MEW officials who turned up supposedly to collect the ba
ckdated payments.

The problem is that the people who are entrusted [to collect water/electricity bills] aren't doing their job properly. Instead of doing their job, they are earning money out of it on the side. So for me, if I pay, then the rest are being spared - that is unfair," he said, adding, "I know that there are lucky people who are using 'wasta' to lower or worse to erase their bills.

The MEW is facing a scandal after some MPs discovered the alleged fraud. Illegal transactions have reportedly been taking place for some time, with consumers seemingly approaching ministry staff, offering them 'wasta' in exchange for reducing or even cancelling their bills. The staff members then manipulate the computerized data recording payment, either transferring the debt owed by the customer to other customers' bills in order to reduce the bill or record it as having been paid.

These practices, which are believed to be widespread at the MEW, have caused outrage among many consumers. "It is serious misconduct," said one angry customer. "If I were in the government, especially in the concerned ministry, I would do my best to catch the perpetrators, put them on trial and, as much as possible, give them due punishment. I cannot agree to paying the bills of some people whom I don't know. I was trying my best to conserve energy, but people who are not doing so are being spared. That's
what you call unfair, and I hope the government will really do something to solve this problem. After all, who knows, I could be next victim.

Another irate MEW customer suggested that an in-depth investigation be launched into the activities to punish the real perpetrators, rather than just penalizing the "small fry" and allowing the main guilty parties to escape prosecution.
There are crocked people operating behind this, maybe big people and if the government is not serious about it, they will only catch the 'small fry," he told the Kuwait Times, adding, "This means the problem will continue - I just hope I'll be spared from paying other people's bills.

Another customer recommended that consumers always compare their bills with previous ones in order to detect any inconsistencies immediately. "If you find that your bill has some sorts of huge discrepancies, then you should act accordingly," she said. "You as the consumer have the right to complaint based on your previous bills. You can always go back to previous bills then compare them to recent ones. In that way you can see, whether you are being required to pay a considerable amount more than what you e
xpected.

There are two options for those renting accommodation in Kuwait, either renting the property with the water and electricity costs included or paying these bills separately direct to the MEW. Those choosing the second option are required to pay KD 120 as an initial deposit before moving into the property. Electricity and water bills are then calculated on an annual basis based on consumption. When moving out, the initial deposit can be retrieved as long as the bills have been paid in full and the tenant's contract with the MEW has been cancelled. - Kuwait Times