President of the National Consumer League (NCL), Carlton Stewart, on Friday called for the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) to press utility companies to disaggregate the cost of bill payments to consumers.

His comments came on the heels of an announcement yesterday that the National Commercial Bank (NCB) would be charging consumers for the payment of bills within the next few months.

Both Bill Express and Paymaster started charging a service fee of $35 and $30, on March 1 and July 18 respectively.

"We are paying twice, because we pay it (service fee) in our bill and we pay it to the bill payment companies," Mr. Stewart said. "What we are saying is that utility companies should disaggregate the price so they know what it costs each consumer generally to pay his or her bill and this is what they should deduct if we are to pay the bill payment agencies."

The NCL head said that, until the matter is resolved, consumers should seek out the least cost avenue to pay bills.

Meanwhile, the OUR said it has given the utility companies until mid-week to update the regulatory body on their commitment to explore options for consumers to pay bills.

"The office will be reassessing the bill payment environment ... The office will now require from the utility companies an update on the commitment that was secured from them at a meeting in May," David Geddes, OUR director of consumer and public affairs, said Friday.