The one year-old dispute between the government and the village of Ta’elefaga, Fagaloa, over the foul smell emanating from the Government’s hydro power plant located there, is nowhere near resolved.
On Wednesday more than thirty representatives from Ta’elefaga met with the Minister of Works, Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala, in an attempt to put an end to the dispute.
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It was not possible to get a comment from Manu’alesagalala.
However, according to Ta’elefaga’s high chief, Leuta Sialafau Valoaga, the Government has let them down.
“We were told that a submission will be made to Cabinet and the project should be approved within the next few weeks,” he said.
“That’s all I can say for now.”
Two weeks ago villagers, frustrated with the Government for failing to deliver on its promise, switched off the generators that powered the hydro plant in protest.
They said the Government’s lack of action in addressing their concerns about the smell and related health issues was bitterly disappointing.
Leuta said the solution would involve the laying of pipes that would take the sludge from the station that’s causing the smell directly to the ocean.
It is understood that this solution to the problem had been recommended previously, Tautua Samoa Party’s Shadow Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, said two weeks ago.
Toeolesulusulu said it would have been much cheaper for the Government to pipe the water causing the stench directly to the sea.
Now, the cost of installing the pipelines as well as the impact on the environment has escalated to the point where the Government will be looking at millions to stop the stench.
Toeolesulusulu said the damage has already been done, adding many fish species that used to exist in the area are no longer sighted.
The Member of Parliament also believes that coastal erosion has become one of the main issues at Ta’elefaga.
“The environmental cost will continue to increase. That doesn't include the economic costs as well as the impact on the health of residents,” he said.
“The Government should have planned for this a long time ago.”
The Aana Alofi M.P. said the Government has a responsibility to deal with the issue and he urged them to prioritize it.
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