Government
EPC Celebrate 50 Year Journey & Note the Challenges Ahead
By Lagi Keresoma
APIA, SAMOA – 20 DECEMBER 2022: The Electric Power Corporation (EPC) has come a long way and its employees and staff came together to celebrate its 50th anniversary last Sunday.
The 50 year journey is a landmark for the Corporation’s achievements. However, there will always be challenges as alluded to by the Minister for Works Infrastructure & Transport (MWIT) Olo Fiti Vaai.
In his keynote address at the service to start the 3 days celebration, Olo congratulated the Corporation but also pointed out the challenges faced by the Corporation and their drive to reach their targets by 2031.
The challenges are the increase rise of diesel prices and the impact of diesel on the environment.
“EPC has a target laid down in the Samoa Pathway for Development and that is by 2031, 70% of the country would be using renewable energy,” he said.
Currently only 30% are using renewable energy.
Olo also touched on the challenge of recruiting overseas experts and employees to operate the newly privatized corporation back in 1972 which was on the verge of establishing major projects which Samoa is currently benefiting from.
“When EPC became a privatized Corporation, they had to hire experts from overseas especially on the financial and engineering side to manage the Corporation,” said Olo. But 50 years later, EPC is managed and operated by Samoans.
From lantern to electricity
Reverend Doctor Latu Latai presided over the service which was on the theme “Public Presence”.
“Be present in places where people live, Jesus was publicly present where he was to be heard and have an impact on people.”
There was a minute of silence in honour of the late and retired EPC employees.
Reverend Latai reminded the gathering of the time Samoa relied on kerosene and benzene lights before electricity arrived.
It was not easy but there was light, and then came the battery era and people were able to use torches and listened to the only radio, the 2AP where children’s program, Palolomua, and Fagogo were the attractions then.
The arrival of electricity had a great impact on the people of Samoa even to the remotest areas where solar panels are used to get light.
The transition from kerosene lights to electricity was smoothly executed but one must never forget the humble beginnings before electricity made everything easier, he said.
Olo said the 50th anniversary is part of Samoa’s 60th Independence celebrations and it was a journey taken with very little resources but with confidence and whilst there is achievement to be celebrated, challenges ahead must also be noted.
There was a minute of silence in honour of the late and retired EPC employees before a 30 minute video highlighting the history of EPC’s 50 year journey was shown.
The three days celebration includes a logo and song competition, and a career day before ending with the prize giving today.