Samoa declares emergency as power crisis intensifies
Residents of Samoa have been struggling with severe power outages for weeks. The government has decided to declare a state of emergency.
The residents of Samoa, an island country in Oceania, have been dealing with significant power outages for several weeks. These issues have led to the announcement of a 30-day state of emergency by Prime Minister Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa. This situation significantly disrupts residents' daily lives and the functioning of the economy.
Samoa without power - what's the cause?
The power outages are especially severe on the island of Upolu, the most populated part of Samoa. Residents are resorting to kerosene lamps, and frozen food is spoiling quickly. Shelley Burich, a resident of the capital, Apia, emphasized in a conversation with CNN that people are being forced to use flashlights and candles, leading to food losses.
Power outages in Samoa are not new, but the current situation is challenging. Authorities cite mechanical failures at power plants, faulty underground cables, and damage caused by a recent storm as the leading causes of the problems. Large power generators are expected to arrive in the country on Saturday as a temporary solution.
Residents' reactions and the state of Samoa's economy
The residents of Samoa are trying to adapt to the new reality. Facing continuous power outages, people are buying candles, flashlights, and lamps in large quantities, which is driving up the prices of these products. Candles have become so expensive that they cost more than half the salary of a person earning the national minimum wage.
Fa'aso'otauloa Sam Saili, President of the Samoa Chamber of Commerce, described the situation as an "energy catastrophe." The damage is so severe that business operations may be impossible for a prolonged period. Nevertheless, residents are attempting to plan their days without power by relying on public warnings about the disruptions.
