Police urge residents to ignore calls for violent protest against Belco
Police are urging residents not to resort to acts of violence at a possible protest against hikes in electricity bills.
A police spokesman said that the force was aware of a voice note being circulated on WhatsApp calling for protesters opposed to the hikes to use violence in order to get their message across. A copy of the note has been sent to The Royal Gazette.
Yesterday, Martin Weekes, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, said officers had been unable to confirm if a demonstration had been organised.
He added: “While the Bermuda Police Service acknowledge the right to protest, we urge that any such action be taken in a peaceful manner. Should the protest materialise, our officers will be on hand to ensure the safety of participants as well as other members of the public.
“That notwithstanding, anyone engaging in violence or antisocial behaviour before, during or after the event can expect to be dealt with according to the dictates of the law.”
Since announcing there would be an increase in the Fuel Adjustment Rate from October 1, there have been several misconceptions and incorrect information circulating in the community. I wish to address these rumours and misconceptions and clarify what the increase in the FAR means for our customers.
To be clear, customers’ bills are not increasing by 48 per cent. Only a portion of the bill will increase. The base rate and other charges will remain the same and only the FAR will increase. The FAR is the total cost of purchasing and delivering fuel to Belco’s central plant and is comprised of two parts — the fuel and taxes on fuel. The FAR is calculated and approved by the regulator every three months and rises and falls with the global price of fuel.
Belco does not make any profit on the increase in the FAR as the rate is only associated with the costs associated with the fuel and taxes on fuel. It’s this portion and only this portion of customers’ bills that will increase. It is not a 48 per cent increase on your total bill. It’s a 48 per cent increase associated with the FAR only.
As an example, for the average household it equates to an approximately $52 increase in your bill. For the average household, if your bill was approximately $280, with this increase, the bill will now be approximately $330.
At Belco we understand that any increase is significant. However, it is important to know the facts and not be misled by false information that is circulating in the community.
If customers have any questions or concerns, they can call Belco’s Customer Experience Team on 299-2800.
Mr Weekes added: “While a date and time has not yet been identified for the staging of this protest, the BPS have already begun implementing measures to address and deal with any eventuality which may arise.
“Again, members of the public will not be prevented from engaging in protest action, but they must do so in a peaceful and lawful manner.”
The increase in electricity bills came into effect at the beginning of this month and prompted an angry response from many commentators on social media, despite being approved by the Regulatory Authority.
The increase was a result of a hike in the Fuel Adjustment Rate component of bills, which went from 16.513 cents per kilowatt-hour to 24.517 cents per kilowatt-hour – a rise of almost 50 per cent.
However, because the FAR represents only a portion of all charges, the actual increase in monthly bills for average consumers will be about 20 per cent.
Belco has repeatedly emphasised that the FAR amendment will not result in increases of 50 per cent.
A company spokesman said that a great deal of misinformation about the increase was being circulated.
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