The new entity to manage and provide billing statements for electricity and water usage, the Automated Revenue Management Services (ARMS), has now commenced operations and is in the process of supplying these billing statements complete with a new generation format to all households.

However, despite a widespread campaign (together with information leaflets) in a valiant attempt to explain the new billing process, is it just me who finds the consumption calculations to be unfathomably baffling and immensely difficult to comprehend? This is allied with some rather less than prominently advertised new terms and conditions for settlement of account, which I will argue, are unfair and unjust.

Notwithstanding the massive increases in the cost of these utilities, which flies in the face of the actions of all the other power service providers throughout the EEC (this also includes gas prices incidentally), the biggest single yet massive change in settlement of account procedure now concerns the timeframe allowed. This is radically reduced from 45 days to 15 days and this timeline commences from the invoice date as shown on billing statement and not from when one receives this invoice. As anyone can attest, there is no correlation between these two dates and they can differ quite dramatically.

Also, some of the payment options to reconcile one's account are unavailable given that some of these are closed due to weekends or feast days, which again lessens the 15 days availability payment period, as these days should only be working days.

In any event, the advice contained in this regard on the reverse of the billing statement is immensely confusing and conflicting, along with the new advice that any late payments (i.e. those received after 15 days from invoice date) will now be charged with an interest payment of six per cent per annum. Yet it also confusingly states that "it is imperative that you pay within 45 days from date of invoice". By whose authority was this payment deferment period reduced by an immense two-thirds and, furthermore, with such a massive and punitive rate of interest penalty payment? I agree that penalties should apply for late payments but for a longer period than 15 days before these kick in and for less than six per cent p.a., as the work involved to recover any monies owed is the same regardless of the amount owed. Also, a percentage repayment plan increases the amount of repayment for those owing more money, which unjustifiably exacerbates their predicament.

Moreover, such penalty charges should reflect the work necessary to reconcile past due accounts, for otherwise a charge of profiteering can be levelled at ARMS.