Issues with Gas Disconnections for Consumers
Oleh Popenko, Head of the Union of Utility Service Consumers, has highlighted unacceptable practices by gas suppliers who are disconnecting consumers for minimal debts. He states that energy companies are now cutting off services after just 1-2 months of non-payment on disputed bills. Previously, a debt of 25,000 hryvnias was considered critical for gas disconnection, but this threshold has now been lowered to 5-7 thousand hryvnias, significantly worsening the situation for households. This aggressive approach comes as many Ukrainians are already struggling with the economic impact of the ongoing war.
Popenko noted that a gas disconnection can occur two months after a debt of this amount accumulates. Furthermore, in the Kyiv region, a case of illegal disconnection was recorded where workers from the regional gas company gained access to a private home's property under false pretenses. This case is particularly egregious because the consumer who was disconnected actually had a credit balance, not a debt.
Financial Hardships and Illegal Disconnections
Adding to the burden, regional network operators are demanding 75,000 hryvnias for gas reconnection, creating additional hardship for consumers already in a difficult financial position. Similar cases of illegal disconnections have also been recorded in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. This situation is causing widespread public concern and requires urgent intervention from regulatory authorities.
Oleh Popenko: 'In conditions of economic instability and rising utility prices, such practices by gas suppliers could lead to significant social tension among consumers.'
It is crucial for regulatory bodies to take responsibility for monitoring supplier activities and protecting consumer rights, as such incidents could trigger mass protests and social conflicts. Consumers must be informed of their rights and the recourse available to them in cases of unlawful actions by suppliers.