Review of electricity sector with IMF, WB and IDB

The Dominican Government will review the plan drawn up last year to solve the problems in the power sector, during a meeting on the 24th of this month, with the International Monetary Fund and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank. The meeting will be led by President Leonel Fernandez, who will be accompanied by officials of the electricity sector and the economic authorities.

The announcement was made by Finance Minister Vicente Bengoa, after a meeting with the President and the executive vice president of the Dominican Corporation of State Electrical Companies (CDEEE), Celso Marranzini, where they discussed the performance of the sector as well as planning actions for the rest of the year.
"There will be a very important meeting, the 24th of this month, with the IDB, IMF and the World Bank, the sole purpose being to analyze and evaluate the plan that was designed last year for the electricity sector. Representatives of the highest level of these international bodies will come to meet with the president," he said. The meeting will be held at the National Palace.

After Tuesday's review with the President, Celso Marranzini commented on the blackouts affecting so-called 24 hour supply areas. He said some areas suffered from very poor payment records by customers and also he had evidence of  electricity theft in some areas. In such circumstances, the agreement had been broken and the authorities were concentrating on maintaining a supply to communities with good payment records.

He acknowledged however, that this meant punishing those people who did stay within the law and maintain payments.
He announced that in the coming days the agency will publish a list of 24-hour sectors which do not meet their payment commitments.

He revealed that some users are now utilizing a new way to steal electricity, which is to use two meters, one in the day and one at night, the latter being used for air conditioners so that consumption is not recorded.

Shameful

Marranzini also said the CDEEE  is investigating a block of luxury apartments worth $500,000 to $1 million each on Anacaona Avenen in Santo Domingo where they were paying just 500 pesos monthly for their energy, and the results will be announced later.

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