Surcharge but poor service

Within a few weeks, like all Rabat residents, I will be receiving the water and electricity bill with the new surcharge rate.

When this surcharge was announced in the budget last November, I was led to believe that together with this hefty increase in the surcharge, WSC and Enemalta customers should also expect an improvement in the quality of the service.

But rather than an improved service, Rabat residents are experiencing electricity cuts and interruptions in the water supply practically every week, sometimes lasting overnight.

Whenever any of these corporations is contacted to enquire about these frequent interruptions, the reply is always the same: "The interruption is due to works being carried out by the corporation". As if there was any other plausible excuse for the poor service we are receiving!

What I am most interested to know is why Rabat seems to be the only village where electricity and water services are cut so frequently.

Can these corporations offer value for money given that Rabat residents still have to pay the surcharge on water and electricity bills despite the poor service being offered?