Former Minister calls for Commissions of Inquiry into EPC & $20M Catamaran Boat

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 19 June 2026 – Former Minister of Education, Loau Keneti Sio last night called on Government to launch two separate Commissions of Inquiry (COI).

One into the circumstances that has landed the Electric Power Corporation with its four generators at the Fiaga Power Generation Station all out of commission causing major power outages and one pushing the Corporation to operate on 12 hired generators from overseas at $500,000 a month.

The second Commission of Inquiry is into the and the catamaran boat which the Samoan Government has already paid $20 million but has yet to arrive in Samoan waters due to concerns about the boat’s safety.

Loau was speaking on the 2026/2027 Budget Estimates and raised concerns about the  current power crisis that surfaced in 2022 when four generators at the major power generation station at Fiaga all went down and compounded when the high-powered underground cables connecting Fiaga to the Fuluasou and Tanugamanono stations had serious defects.

Loau insisted that these issues must not be left to pass as if nothing happened but must be investigated. “Information coming through also refer to serious financial problems, but what was the reason?” he said.

“Aua nei ta’atia pei e foliga mai e leai se mea e faia i ai, ae tatau ona faia se su’esu’ega e saili ai le mafuaaga tonu. I su’esu’ega fo’i ua o’o mai fa’apea ua fa’aletonu mea tau seleni, a o le a le mafuaaga?” Loau said.

He wanted a Commission of Inquiry to identify exactly what the problem was and who was/were responsible and be liable for it.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt acknowledge Loau for raising the concern and agreed to the suggestion for a Commission of Inquiry.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt

The Prime Minister stated that the issues with EPC are major and very serious, however, he stated the more pressing issue and priority is ensuring the daily power supply is maintained before moving into a Commission of Inquiry.

He clarified that the four generators at Fiaga had a lifespan of 30 to 35 years, but these generators already failed after only 10 years.

The $60 million Tala investment shifted shifted power generation from Tanugamanono to Fiaga in 2014.

“So what happened to the generators and the reason why they had not reached their expected lifespan?” he asked.

When the first FAST Government took office in 2021, the power crisis started to surface, and the reason given was that the generators have not been serviced.

“The question is, who is responsible for making decisions to service the generators, do they have to wait for Cabinet?” asked Laauli.

The PM told Parliament that the reason given as to why the generators were not serviced was that “there was no money”.

The Prime Minister said the EPC Board should have taken action and asked the Government for assistance.

Part of the 12 hired diesel generators generating electricity for Upolu Island at the Fuluasou power station.

The Prime Minsiter said the call for an investigation into EPC is not new, as the former Minister for EPC, Olo Fiti Vaai also called for an inquiry then when the issue with the generators were identified.

Laauli also explained that the FAST Government took immediate action that resulted in the hire of 12 standby generators from overseas not providing electricity for Upolu Island at a cost of $500,000 a month.

He confirmed that EPC is currently working onca full overhaul of the Fiaga generators and two generators are expected to be in line and working by December this year.

In addressing the power issues and outages, the Government is allocated $100 million to EPC in the budget now debated by parliament and to be passed before the end of this month.

Yet to be delivered, the catamaran boat meant for Upolu-Savaii interisland travel already costing the Samoan Government $20M tala.

The $20 million Catamaran boat
Loau again called for an Inquiry into the catamaran boat still in Australia after the Government had paid $20 million for its refurbishment.

“Where is the boat? Has it arrived?” he asked.

Loau’s concern is that $20 million belongs to taxpayers sweat yet, there is no boat.

“Who should we ask? Is it the Samoa Shipping Corporation Board and who made the decision to buy the boat which we have yet to see while the buyer has taken our money?” he asked.

Again, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa agreed with Loau.

The decision to buy the boat was made by the previous government. The PM said the boat cost only $3 million tala. However, additional work on the boat boosted the price to $20 million Tala.

But after an inspection by then Deputy Prime Minister, Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, they realised the boat was not safe for the Upolu-Savaii run due to rough waters in the strait.

Four more inspections were made due to safety concerns. However, due the agreement conditions already signed between the company and Samoan government, Cabinet ensured the boat is completed then look as leasing or selling it to make its money back.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the former Minister of Education’s concerns and agree the EPC power outages and the $20M catamaran purchase must be issues for future commissions of inquiry.