President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced that the electricity charges have been reduced nation wide effective since March.
The announcement was made at a function held on Thursday to announce the pledges that were achieved by the government during the first 100 days of administration.
President Solih said the decision was designed under the government's policy to eradicate the differences in services offered to the citizens in capital Male' and the atolls, and to improve the environment offered to local businesses.
The difference in prices of electricity above 400 units in the domestic cater gory of islands have now been equalized.
"The reduction in prices will bring much ease to households in islands. For example, if the monthly bill of a household is MVR 2200, the amount will now decrease to around MVR 1100", said the President.
The President acknowledged the complaints regarding the high electricity costs for island businesses, and said the issue has now been effectively addressed by equalizing the difference in pricing in the business category.
"Now the business categories of islands will pay the same price as the businesses in Addu City. This will decrease the expense incurred by businesses for electricity", he said.
The change will positively impact small and medium enterprises, which would enable the businesses to offer better services to the people. Electricity bills costing MVR 4600 in the past will now decrease to around MVR 3400, said the president.
The government will research the amount saved by slashing 5% duty charged on diesel import, and will grant a fuel discount equivalent to the amount on electricity bills, promised the president.
The government is also working to establish renewable energy sources instead of the use of generators in a bid to further decrease the cost of electricity, he added.
