Samoa declares emergency as severe power outages persist
Residents of Samoa have been experiencing significant power outages for weeks. The government has declared a state of emergency.
The residents of Samoa, an island nation in Oceania, have been contending with severe power outages for several weeks. These challenges have prompted the declaration of a 30-day state of emergency by Prime Minister Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa. This situation is significantly disrupting the residents' daily lives and the functioning of the economy.
Samoa without power - what's the cause?
The power outages are particularly severe on the island of Upolu, the most populous part of Samoa. Residents resort to using kerosene lamps, and frozen food spoils quickly. Shelley Burich, a resident of the capital, Apia, highlighted in a conversation with CNN that people are compelled to use torches and candles, resulting in food wastage.
Power outages in Samoa are not unprecedented, but the current situation is exceptionally challenging. Authorities indicate mechanical failures at the power stations, defective underground cables, and damage caused by the recent storm are the leading causes. On Saturday, large power generators are expected to arrive in the country temporarily.
Residents' reactions and the state of Samoa's economy
The residents of Samoa are striving to adapt to the new circumstances. In the face of continuous power outages, people purchase candles, torches, and lamps in bulk, increasing the prices of these items. The cost of candles has risen to more than half the salary of an individual earning the national minimum wage.
The president of the Samoa Chamber of Commerce, Fa'aso'otauloa Sam Saili, described the situation as an "energy catastrophe." The damage is so severe that businesses may not be able to operate for a considerable period. Nonetheless, residents attempt to organise their days without power by heeding public warnings about the disruptions.
