President Mohamed Nasheed has said that distribution of electric power in the islands have become much easier than before, and are provided to the people at cheaper rates.
In his weekly radio address given this morning, the President noted how in the 1980s the electric utility work began as a very small entity in the islands, and that the powerhouses that distributed electricity then, were not planned or organized efficiently. President Nasheed underscored that as soon as the government had come to know of the state of the powerhouses and electric power utilities, government began its work to provide power supply in as many islands, at affordable rates. For this, the president said, he has established 7 utilities companies, and handed over the powerhouses of the islands to these companies. He also assured that the government will put in every effort to provide electric power supply for the people in a cost- effective way.
Highlighting on the efforts taken by the government in minimizing State Electric Company (STELCO)’s debt, which had been accumulating since 2005, the President noted that the debt has been cleared in 2010 and STELCO has now begun to profit.
President Nasheed also detailed on the subsidies paid to the people by the government for power supply bills, adding that the services provided by utilities companies are increasing everyday.