Rabat – Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has announced the return of late payment penalties on water bills, saying the decision is aimed at recovering a sizable amount of overdue water bills since the start of the COVID crisis in the North African country.
In a statement ONEE issued earlier this week in response to numerous reports on late payment penalties, the national water and electricity operator maintained that the return of the late payment is part of its newfound commercial policy to ensure timely and complete payment of bills.
The late payment penalty was suspended due to the pandemic, and customers were instead provided with additional facilities to ensure uninterrupted water services.
But this leniency in bill payments has resulted in a significant accumulation of unpaid bills, said ONEE’s statement, adding that the total amount of unpaid bills has exceeded MAD 650 million (nearly $63 million), imposing the gradual reintroduction of these measures.
The National Office highlights that the restoration of these penalties primarily aims to recover the amounts owed, enabling it to fulfill its obligations and ensure the continuity of water supply to citizens.
As part of its “proximity policy,” the agency has set up 4,000 payment points across all cities to facilitate the settlement of unpaid amounts. Customers can obtain information and make payments through various electronic channels, including ONEE’s official website, banking apps, and ATMs.
