The former boss of the Electric Power Corporation has criticised the new Government over its plans to drop the cost of electricity without proper consultation and the impact of the 20 per cent tariff reduction. 

The former E.P.C. C.E.O. and M.P. for Falelatai and Samatau, Lupematasila Tologata Tile, described the announcement as "bait to lure people to vote for them."

Lupematasila made the comments during the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) meeting with the Safata district in Vaie’e on Monday in the lead up to the by-elections later this month. 

The M.P. was responding to questions from Tuia Paepae Letoa of Vaie’e who claimed the electricity cost remains expensive despite promises by the new Government.

In response the former C.E.O. for E.P.C. and M.P. said electricity cost continue to go up with a unit almost costing $1 tala per unit this year compared to 2020 when it was 0.60 cent per unit. 

“In matters like this [reduced cost] it should be referred to the Board of Directors and the corporation for their assessment on the affordability of the 20 per cent,” he said. 

“It appears to be just announcements to lure the country but the truth is it won’t happen…these are announcements to cut 20 per cent but there are no assessments on its impact.” 

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa last week announced the reduction of 20 per cent electricity tariff effective for the month of November endorsed by the Cabinet. 

The 20 per cent reduction was passed in the 2021/2022 budget and is in line with the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party’s manifesto. 

"The reduction will be for individual families, members of the public and businesses," said Fiame. 

"This was one of the things we had proposed in our manifesto and during our election roadshows before the general election."

But Lupematasila questioned the reduced cost and how it is applied to different customers such as households and businesses. 

He said businesses utilise more electricity compared to small households, arguing that the application of the 20 per cent should not be the same across the board. 

“E.P.C. should carry out an evaluation before these announcements are made just to win elections,” he said. 

“Let’s not let our district be fooled by these announcements.” 

Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi also spoke about the issue relating to community service obligations under the E.P.C.

C.S.O. is a community base assistance to subsidise costs of providing street lights to families that cannot afford the associated costs with setting up power lines. 

The H.R.P.P. leader claimed the new Government does not value this service to those in the community and had dropped the budget allocation for the service. 

Attempts to obtain comment from the C.E.O. of E.P.C. and the Minister of Works by the Samoa Observer have been unsuccessful.  

During debate when passing the 2021/2022 budget, Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai addressed concerns about the 20 per cent reduced cost for utility service. 

Olo told the parliament that when there is a drop in electricity rates there is a high demand for supply. 

He said this means that families will be able to afford refrigerators, ovens and other electrical appliances that rely on electricity. 

The new tariff rates have already been approved by the Office of the Regulator. According to the tariff charges order for October domestic consumers using cash power will pay $0.65 per unit for 1-50 kilowatts and $0.79 per unit for 51 kilowatts and over. 

While non-domestic consumers using cash power will be charged at a rate of $0.79 for all units. But with the new changes that were made effective this month, it will remove the two-tier structure for prepaid domestic consumers.