The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) has warned that it is "intensifying its disconnection exercises" on all overdue accounts beginning today.
"Effective immediately, the corporation intends to disconnect the electricity supply on all accounts with substantial arrears and where payments have not been made in accordance with BEC's billing policy," said a statement from the electricity corporation yesterday.
"This includes customers who have made payment arrangements but are not honoring those commitments."
BEC offered a payment plan to customers whose accounts were in arrears, however, BEC officials said many of those people are not sticking to the plan.
To date as many as 5,000 Bahamian households remain without electricity because of non-payment, BEC officials said.
BEC general manager Kevin Basden said the number of homes without power remains in the thousands, despite several programs to restore power to delinquent customers and work out convenient payment plans.
During an interview with Basden last month, he said that delinquent customers owe the state-run power provider as much as $14 million.
He added that disconnections are made on a daily basis.
"As the corporation increases its disconnection exercises, customers are advised to bring their accounts up to date to avoid service disruption.  Additionally, BEC continues to offer affordable payment arrangements to customers experiencing difficulty paying their electricity bills. These customers should come in to BEC's Blue Hill and Tucker Roads location or Mall at Marathon location to speak to a customer service representative as soon as possible," the statement continued.
It added that only BEC representatives can disconnect service to consumers.
"For security purposes, customers are reminded that only authorized BEC personnel are allowed to access meter boxes. BEC disconnecters are dressed in BEC uniforms and/or wear a vest embossed with the corporation's logo."
All disconnecters drive a BEC vehicle or a vehicle with BEC's decal, the statement said.
Customers who are concerned about any individual who presents themselves as a BEC representative are asked to contact 302-1682-5 or 302-1624.

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