Jobs to go at E.P.C.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, yesterday confirmed that sixty-six employees of the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C) are to be made redundant.

The decision was made by Cabinet on Tuesday.

Tuilaepa did not say who will lose their jobs and when the redundancies will become effective.

However, he told the media that the Corporation has been asked to prepare the redundancy packages in accordance to what the employees are entitled to.

According to the Prime Minister, the decision is part of reforms being carried out at the Corporation to cut costs and in turn pass on the benefits to members of the public by way of cheaper electricity.

Tuilaepa said a study carried out as part of the reforms identified that the Corporation has 66 more employees than it needs.

The news though is not all bad for the employees who will be affected, Tuilaepa pointed out.

“These people can take their redundancy packages and set up private businesses using their skills and expertise,” he said.

He added that these companies could then offer their services as sub-contractors to E.P.C and they will continue to benefit.

The reforms being carried out within E.P.C are not new.

Tuilaepa said the former Minister of Works, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, implemented a similar measure in the Ministry of Works several years ago and many of the employees saw the offer as an opportunity to make some money.

In Savai’i recently, Tuilaepa said one of those former Public Works employee thanked him for the decision then because the redundancy package enabled him to buy a taxi.

The Prime Minister said the overall aim of the reforms at E.P.C is to reduce the cost of electricity. He praised the work being done by the Corporation since according to him; the cost of electricity has been dropping for the past three months.

Tuilaepa also acknowledged the C.E.O of E.P.C, Tologata Tile Tuimaleali’ifano, as well as the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala for their leadership in guiding the Corporation through the transition.

TRIP TO AMERICAN SAMOA
Prime Minister Tuilaepa also confirmed that he is travelling to American Samoa for the territory’s Flag Day celebrations this weekend. Tuilaepa said he was hesitant to travel but he did not want the American Samoa government to feel that he has neglected their invitation.

Besides, the Prime Minister said he has a lot of issues he wants to discuss with officials in American Samoa.

One of the top issues on his list of priorities is the plan by Bumble Bee to set up in Apia. Tuilaepa said he is meeting with Bumble Bee officials today to continue the negotiations and to find out where they are up to with their plans.

If all goes according to plan, Tuilaepa said the Bumble Bee operation should be up and running by next year.

The only issue, he said, involves Bumble Bee having being bought by another Thailand company.

Tuilaepa is hoping to iron out these issues during their meeting today.

In American Samoa, the Prime Minister will also visit the 2Samoa Trade Fair at Utulei. The Prime Minister said the initiative is vital in terms of government’s push to improve exports and trade with out neighbours in American Samoa.

The Prime Minister said the government injected $30,000 to fund the Fair because it wants local businesses taking part to grow.

“When this happens, their sales increase and the government gets more money by way of taxes.”

Tuilaepa will join the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese, who is already in the territory. They are due back in the country on Sunday.