775 consumers owe Enemalta €1m

Just over €1 million are due to Enemalta by 775 account holders who have had their electricity cut off, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said in reply to a parliamentary question today.

He said that consumers were given various opportunities to regularise their position before power was switched off.

Consumers were given a credit period of 45 days from the date of their bill. A reminder was sent after 30 days and interest started to accrue after the 45-day period.

The first warning that power may be cut off was issued after 65 days from the bill's date, and the final warning was issued a few days before power was cut off.

Mr Fenech said suspension of the power supply was not carried out when the consumer was over 61 years of age and the pending bill was of under €1,000. The same also applied for people who depended on social benefits.