The Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA), has launched an investigation into the claims made by the villagers in Sabeto, Nadi, in relation to damaged electrical appliances as a result of a sudden power outage.

This was confirmed by FEA public relations officer, Karunesh Rao.

The village Turaga-Ni-Koro, (village headman), of Narokokoyawa Village, Samuela Naquto claimed that electric appliances from more than 100 houses from his village, are not working. He said people in his village and the next village are unable to use their radios and electrical kitchen appliances after a sudden power outage two weeks ago.

“This happened to both Narokorokoyawa Village and Koroyawa Village,” he said.

“So just after breakfast one Sunday I got a shock when our stereo went off and my wife went to check the electricity and it was off,” he said.

“I checked all the appliances in my house to check if the electricity was still on, but it wasn’t.

“After a while I came to the transformer and the villagers informed me that it blew.

“Some of the villagers’ appliances were damaged, especially their television sets, radios and refrigerators.”

He said he got in touch with the Naboutini Police Station and they were able to help villagers get in touch with various stakeholders regarding the issue.

Both villages are now using candles and solar energy as their source of electricity.

Mr Naquto added they have installed a new transformer, but it hasn’t been working since the time it was installed.

He is pleading to the FEA to keep up with their work to assist these villagers as they approach the festive season.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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