Direct-debit payment for Dewa bills

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is in talks with banks to offer customers the direct-debit payment service, according to a top Dewa official.

Marwan Salem bin Haider, Vice-President and CIO, Dewa, was quoted as saying by 'Khaleej Times' that the authority was "in talks with banks to make available the automated-direct payment facility through customers’ bank accounts. This service automatically deducts Dewa bill amount from the accounts every month."

The service has been activated through five banks - Emirates NBD, First Gulf Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Ajman Bank and Emirates Islamic Bank.

Saeed Mohamed Al Tayer, MD and CEO, Dewa, said: "The service enables Dewa's customers to pay fees through the banks’ electronic channels and allows the automatic transfer of funds to the customers’ accounts at Dewa, and thus serves to immediately update their accounts.”

At present there are 23 banks that accept utility bill payment through their websites. But "it takes at least a day to update  payment details in Dewa's system. With the direct-debit payment service, it will be done in real time, instantly once you make the payment,” he said.

To avail the service, the customers will have to register their Dewa account details on the websites of these five banks. And after verification, they can make payments of water and electricity bills, which also include housing fees, through these online accounts.

Customers still have the option of using credit cards to make online bill payments through www.dewa.gov.ae. They can also make payments through ATM machines, teller counters and tele-banking services of various banks.

The other payment channels currently in operation will continue to remain active.
 

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