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Samoa Declares State Of Emergency Amid Severe Power Crisis
Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist
The Samoan government has declared a 30-day state of emergency as the main island of Upolu grapples with a severe power crisis.
Major disruptions to Samoa's electricity supply have affected residents and businesses, with power rationing in place since February.
The crisis is due to faults in the country's main underground power cable, severe weather causing damage to power lines and poles, and the failure of backup generators, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said last week.
A fault in the underground cable between Fiaga and Fuluasou power plants caused a blackout in Upolu last month, leading to further repairs, and three key generators failed, reducing power generation.
Last week, the country's Finance Minister Lautimuia Uelese Vaaio supported the call for the government to declare a state of emergency.
Lautimuia said the declaration of a state of emergency would allow Samoa's development partners to assist with the situation.
The call was backed by the Samoa Observer's editorial board, which said that the power crisis has affected everyone, from ordinary citizens and small businesses to schools, universities, and even "multi-million-dollar projects".
In a news conference in Apia on Monday, Fiame said the state of emergency allows the government to implement measures to manage the energy supply, protect public health, and maintain essential services.
Large electricity generators will arrive from overseas on Saturday April 5 as a temporary solution, with permanent generators expected in August.
Fiame said the economic impact of the crisis is estimated to cost up to 16 percent of Samoa's GDP.
The state of emergency is effective until 29 April.
RNZ
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