Ifira Island still without power
March 2, 2025 10:24 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Nicholas Mwai.
More than two months after the devastating earthquake, the island of Ifira remains without electricity.
While energy provider UNELCO has expressed its willingness to reconnect power, the company states that the final decision is in the hands of government authorities and landowners.
The destruction caused by the earthquake and subsequent landslides has left vital infrastructure damaged, including the main power line at Lapitasi.
With cables still buried under debris and landslide-prone areas posing a significant risk to workers, UNELCO has proposed an alternative solution: supplying electricity to Ifira from Pango. However, unresolved land disputes are delaying this plan.
The Paramount Chief of Pango Village, Kaltere Alick Kalwatman Maseiman II, confirmed that land disputes are a major obstacle.
“Before the earthquake, in June last year, UNELCO came to see me and asked about the connection. I spoke with them, but there was already a court case over the land. A judgment is to be declared on March 3, but some families appealed, meaning another case is ongoing,” he said.
“We know that court dates can change, so we cannot wait for the final judgment. UNELCO and the government authorities need to come together, sit with the landowners, and sort out the issue so we can help families in Ifira.”
Chief Kalwatman also urged UNELCO to engage with the affected communities directly.
“One good thing UNELCO can do is sit with the community while waiting for the court case. Before the earthquake, there was no disaster, but now there is. We need to come together with the council of chiefs and the people to find a way to restore electricity to Ifira,” he said.
Regarding reports of financial claims linked to the land dispute, the Chief said, “I am not aware of any amount of money being asked, nor do I know who made the claim. What matters now is finding a way to bring electricity back to our families.”
The Managing Director indicated that UNELCO had already addressed the matter in a previous interview.
During that discussion, UNELCO Managing Director Frederic Petit stated: “It is not in our hands now; it is in the hands of the authorities and the landowners.”
Despite the challenges, Chief Kalwatman assured that discussions will continue to find a solution. He acknowledged that some families working on the disputed land may have claims, but stressed that the primary goal is to supply electricity to Ifira as soon as possible.
