By Tupuola Terry Tavita

The cash power system is the most equitable, most sustainable utilization of electricity.

This was underscored by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi when asked of Maagiagi villages ongoing opposition to installing household cash power meters.

“It is a user-pay system where you become very conscious of how much electricity you are consuming,�? said the Prime Minister.

“Which is the sort of conservative, logical and responsible mindset that all governments are trying to instill in their citizens in this time and age. Not the wasteful, uneconomical and irresponsible use of power that Maagiagi has been practicing through the years.�?

Maagiagi village has accumulated unpaid electricity bills of over $20 million tala in a 14-year period. Many families there own multiple tv sets, fridges and other electrical appliances. Some reportedly even have high energy-consuming spotlights operating all night to light their plantations.

“The reality is, Maagiagi is not operating on free electricity. There is no such thing as free electricity. Everybody is paying for Maagiagi’s electricity.�?

The issue regarding Maagiagi land where EPC pipes are laid, the Prime Minister said, is separate issue altogether.

“Those are compensation issues that have to be negotiated with government, namely MNRE (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources). Paying your electricity bill is a completely different matter.�?

The Prime Minister reminded Maagiagi that the government they are opposing is the people’s government.

“It’s the government made up of all electricity-paying citizens. I don’t think they (Maagiagi) will get any sympathy from the public.�?

The Prime Minister said Maagiagi households will eventually operate on cash power meters and have to pay their outstanding electricity bills.

“The best thing for them to do right now is install their meters and start paying for their electricity. The more they leave it off, the more bills they accumulate.�?

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