Water rate hike sought in Bogor<\/p>\n
BOGOR (JP): City-owned water company PDAM Bogor threatened to
\nput into effect a plan to distribute water on a rotating basis if
\nmembers of the Bogor mayoralty council remained opposed to its
\nproposal to raise water rates.<\/p>\n
"The company is losing money in its operation so we are forced
\nto raise water rates," company spokesman E.E. Sulaiman said on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
Sulaiman said the company was suffering losses amounting to Rp
\n450 per cubic meter of water produced. Sulaiman said the water
\nwas sold at Rp 950 per cubic meter, far below the production cost
\nof Rp 1,400 per cubic meter.<\/p>\n
"Bogor Regent Agus Utara Effendy approved our proposal to
\nraise the water rates, but the hike can't take effect if the
\ncouncilors do not give their approval," he said.<\/p>\n
According to the law, a regent decree must be approved by the
\ncouncilors before being enacted.<\/p>\n
"The rate hike is badly needed to enable the water company to
\nimprove its service," Sulaiman said.<\/p>\n
He said delaying the rate hike would burden customers, whose
\nnumber reached 67,000.<\/p>\n
"The company has suffered great losses. Last year we lost Rp 4
\nbillion, and this year our loss is estimated at Rp 3 billion," he
\nsaid, adding that the rate hike was the only way to cover losses
\nin production.<\/p>\n
Sulaiman also said the rate hike was supported by customer
\nrepresentatives and the Indonesian Consumers Organization.
\n(21\/asa)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/water-rate-hike-sought-in-bogor-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}