Al-Madina

I AM used to writing about people’s sufferings in this column. This time I will write about an unbelievable story of a man in Madinah who received an exorbitant bill from the National Water Company.

This old man lives in a small villa with his wife. Last November, he received a water bill for SR6,234. He almost fainted. When He went to the company and complained. The same month, he received an adjusted bill of SR399. The old man paid the bill and the company thanked him for the payment.

In February this year, he received a bill for SR6,437. Again he went to the company to complain and he was issued an adjusted bill of SR205. He paid the bill and the company thanked him for the payment. On March 2, he received a bill for SR396. On the 21st of the same month, he received another bill for SR444.

All these bills were for one water account. It was quite confusing and the old man thought that this would keep happening to him every month. He has been living constantly worrying about his upcoming water bill.

What can I say about the pain and suffering of this old man. Water is essential to sustain life. This old man found the billing of the NWC illogical and strange. He is terrified on the day when his bill is due.

At the same time it is tiring for a man of his age to pay a monthly visit to the NWC to complain and get his bill rectified.

This is the experience of only one man. There are many people like him who are suffering from the water company’s bizarre billing system. I present this old man’s case in front of the minister to find a solution to it.

I say to the NWC’s branch in Madinah that you have ruined the life of this old man with your billing style.

This is the experience of only one man. There are many people like him who are suffering from the water company’s bizarre billing system.