Collective Electricity Cuts Are Not Legal

Tirana, March 1, 2006  

During February 2006, the Albanian Helsinki Committee followed attentively complaints of many citizens of Tirana and other districts in the country.

There is a lot of unhappiness not only regarding prolonged electricity cuts, but also collective electricity cuts, which harms a considerable number of citizens that are regular payers of dues owed in bills as can be verified in relevant electricity payment books and documents.

Energy Corporation (KESH) officials' responses to these complaints that the level of these cuts depends upon collection of bills at the city, municipality, or commune level is not legal because citizen-KESH contracts are individual and not collective.

The AHC calls upon KESH to respect the contract in its entirety. We also call upon all citizens to fulfill their obligations deriving from the contracts.

It is worth mentioning that the consequences of electricity cuts have had a negative impact also on business activity, the health and education sector, as well as in the normal supply of bread and water.

The AHC also draws attention to complaints by members of some families that home appliances such as TV sets, computers, air conditioners, etc., have been damaged or permanently destroyed as a result of fluctuations in electricity supply.

AHC suggests to KESH to look at this problem with appropriate seriousness and objectiveness in order to find the real reason for such consequences. Protecting or securing electricity distribution stations is not a duty of citizens. They may only be held accountable when damage results from their actions.

In closing, the AHC views it necessary to suggst to KESH officials at the corporation's headquarters and branches that, with the exception of sudden failures or major causes, to undertake the appropriate measures for a regular supply of electricity. Accelerating the installation of electricity meters for every family or individual would be helpful in this regard. This would also bring an end to the use of flat rate bills.

AHC is also of the opinion that in spite of objective difficulties, more transparency and on-site verifications of numerous daily complaints are needed, including those coming from certain communes and villages.