The Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) has stepped forward to assist the general public especially customers or families and businesses that have cash-power meters that require the use of the 60-number dockets.

E.P.C boss, Faumui Toimoana Tauiliili told this newspaper that the assistance is always there and the team is now working towards fixing this.

"As I explained before, if we need to then we go out and give assistance but that's our way of informing the public about this and we also answer calls for queries if there are any further questions about this process," he explained.

E.P.C took to social media to explain the steps to enter the 60-number docket for cash-power meters.

"We wish to assist in entering your 60 number receipts or three sets of 20 numbers for your Landis meters which start with 070," the notice reads.

"You will only get this receipt once for all meters with buttons across the country not only to Upolu but also Manono, Apolima and Savaii for our upgrading work we're working on now."

"The steps for entering this 60-number docket are the first 20 numbers. Wait for a minute for the meter screen to clear before proceeding to the next step; Enter the second lot of 20 numbers. Wait for a minute for the meter screen to clear before proceeding to the next step; Enter the third lot of 20 numbers. Wait for the units of your purchased power to show on your meter screen. If this happens, then your meter has been successfully upgraded on the system."

Some customers raised concerns about the length of the numbers which came in three sets earlier this month.

Faumui 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 re-coding 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 earlier this month stressing that if this is a new system, there should have been more notice 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 dismay 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."