Samoa Villagers Refuse To Join Prepaid Power System In Apia
Claim government owes compensation for hydroelectric plant

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, July 16, 2012) – The Samoa government is threatening to switch off the electricity supply to the village of Magiagi in the suburbs of Apia unless it agrees to accept a pre-paid system to receive power.

The government is owed about eight million U.S. dollars by the village for unpaid electricity, following a stand off with the power utility dating back more than fourteen years.

Our correspondent, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says villagers in Magiagi refuse to pay the bills or allow meter readers in their homes because they want the government to compensate them for the use of their land to house a hydro power plant.

But he says the government has threatened to disconnect the power if they fail to reach an agreement.

"They’ve been told by the Prime Minister to call a meeting of the village and discuss what the government wants, that by the end of next month the cash power should be all installed in the village."

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