The General Manager for the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.), Faumui Tauiliili To'imoana says it is a security process when a cashpower voucher gives you three sets of numbers to enter. 

Some customers have raised concerns about the length of the numbers which come in three sets.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Faumui stressed that the only time a cash power docket displays three sets of the number combinations is when a meter needs to be re-coded as the combinations of numbers have run out.

"The probability of the digits of the meter number each has millions of combinations of numbers but there is a time when all those combinations are finished, then the meter will be recoded," he said.

"So those numbers are to recode your meter. You have to enter them all then that will change the coding of the meter and it's basically refreshing the meter and then restarting as normal.

"Once the combination of numbers is finished and you haven't changed your coding by doing that, then the next time you buy another cash power, you won't be able to enter the numbers again as it won't go through.

"It's a security thing and because the cash power system has been on the system for quite some time, the combination of numbers will eventually finish then the recoding will recode or renew the system so that it can change the combination of numbers you will be getting and then start back to normal again."

Faumui also stressed that the reason why the E.P.C needs to recode the combinations is to avoid the old combinations from being valid again which will be a loss for the Corporation.

Meanwhile, the explanation by the E.P.C boss comes at the back of a concerned customer who was irked by the recoding process which required him to enter  60 numbers in three sets as well as some extra buttons on the meter.

Charlie Mansfield voiced his concerns to the Samoa Observer stressing that if this is a new system, there should have been more noticed from the Corporation about it.

"As per the date on the attached docket, I purchased this from Frankie’s Lotopa, checked the name to make sure it’s correct and proceeded home to load it," he explained.

"You can imagine my consternation when I saw three sets of numbers.  I loaded the bottom one first being the designated credit token number – no go.  I then loaded the top one – no go.  Then the second one – no go.  The third one again – no go.  I tried all three groups three times.

"I then went back to Frankie’s and asked the girl who supplied the docket and she told me that EPC had a new system and that you had to load all three groups.  Sixty numbers!  How ridiculous!  I asked her to confirm this with EPC.  She then rang “Customer Service” who wouldn’t answer my calls and they confirmed that this was correct.  

"All three groups have to be loaded but you have to push the star (*) button between groups and at the end of the last group.  Guess what – no star button on the meter keypad.  I tried one last time using just the third group and surprise, surprise – it loaded."

Asked whether this is a new system and why this is happening now and not before, Faumui said 'no' and added that if the customers encounter difficulties entering the recoding docket, they can reach out to E.P.C for guidance any time.