Electricity restoration on Ifira delayed by landowners and infrastructure issues
February 23, 2025 10:27 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Terence Malapa.
The Managing Director (MD) of UNELCO, Frédéric Petit, has clarified that the responsibility for restoring electricity to the island of Ifira lies with the authorities and landowners, not the utility company.
Petit explained that the connection to the main wharf involves an underground line, which has been damaged by landslides and the recent earthquake. Several cables are faulty, and the electricity transformer was also damaged.
“The responsible authorities must clear the debris and address the road and infrastructure issues before we can begin our work on restoring the electricity,” Petit said.
He also noted the risks associated with ongoing landslides and emphasised the importance of protecting workers from potential harm. “I wouldn’t want to expose them to dangerous conditions,” he added.
In response to the situation, UNELCO submitted a proposal to the authorities on 28 December 2024 to supply temporary power to Ifira from Pango. However, the plan hinges on landowner approval.
“It’s an alternative solution submitted to the government for connecting power from Pango to Ifira, but it all depends on the landowners from Pango,” said Petit.
Despite understanding the frustration of Ifira residents, he stressed that progress cannot be made until the parties involved reach an agreement on the temporary solution.
Meanwhile, newly appointed Leader of the Opposition, Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau, has called on UNELCO to restore electricity to Ifira. This follows numerous complaints from the Ifira Tenuku community, who have been without electricity since the 17 December 2024 earthquake.
Kalsakau pointed out that electricity is essential for daily life, and the lack of it has been causing major difficulties for villagers. He added, “Two months without reliable electricity has affected their ability to stay connected, work, and maintain normal routines.”
The Opposition Leader called on the government to urgently instruct UNELCO to reconnect the electricity supply to the island. “It is unacceptable for any community affected by a natural disaster to be kept in the dark about the restoration of their electricity,” he said.
MD Petit concluded that UNELCO is ready to restore electricity as soon as the authorities and landowners give their approval to proceed with the proposed connection from Pango to Ifira.
