ABU DHABI // FNC members have called on the Government to look at ways of ensuring all Emiratis pay the same for water and electricity.
Some families pay as little as Dh100 a month but others face bills of up to Dh5,000, despite using the same amount of water.
Ahmed Al Shamsi (Ajman), who raised the issue with the Minister of Energy, Mohammed Al Hamli, said prices varied even within the same emirate.
"There are varied prices for electricity across the country," Mr Al Shamsi said. "It costs some Emiratis more than others. This goes against the constitution, which requires social equality."
The minister explained federal and local authorities charge different rates. The federal price for electricity was 7.5 fils a kilowatt, but authorities such as Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority charge 5.5 fils.
Water prices also vary greatly. In Abu Dhabi, every Emirati pays between Dh50 and Dh100, depending on how much they use.
In Dubai, the first 91,000 litres are free, and every litre after that costs 0.33 fils. In other parts of the country, Emiratis are charged at 0.44 fils a litre, with no free amount.
"In Sharjah, we can sometimes pay Dh3,000 to Dh5,000 for a whole family," said Mr Al Shamsi. "If it's someone living alone it can be around Dh300 to Dh500."
He said he was not asking for free water and electricity, "which could increase waste", but for parity between households.
Mr Al Hamli said: "As the member said, there are different rates in different places, 5.5 fils and 7.5 fils, according to my understanding. The ministry had decided it should be 7.5 fils. If local authorities want to charge less, it is up to them."
He said the federal prices were higher because the cost of gas had increased.
"In the old times, diesel and gas prices were close to each other," Mr Al Hamli said. "Now a gallon of diesel is Dh15, before it was around Dh2 to Dh3. So some emirates were able to get contracts for less."
Mr Al Shamsi said consumers were not concerned about the technicalities and simply wanted the inequalities to be ironed out.
He said it was the federal authority's responsibility to work with local authorities to devise a unified price system.
Most members agreed to put a recommendation to the Cabinet to investigate equal charges.
Equalisation would not be without risks. While it could mean all Emiratis pay the same as those who now pay least - Dh100 a month for water and electricity - there would be concerns that a uniform rate would be higher.
While not keen on any increases for themselves, Emiratis who spoke to The National agreed it was unfair for others to be paying more.
KD, who lives in an eight-room shaabi house in Al Ain, pays about Dh3,000 a month for electricity and water bills.
Her friend MH in Abu Dhabi pays Dh100 a month for a 10-bedroom villa.
"Maybe I use more electricity than them," said KD. "Probably not, but maybe there is a reason for the difference."
UAE residents consume on average 550 litres of water a day, among the highest rates in the world.
osalem@thenational.ae
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Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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'Peninsula'
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The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Company%20profile
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
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Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
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Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
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Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
