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Send responses to this document to Rotuman Forum for posting. Please include your full name and current home city. |
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Send responses to this document to Rotuman Forum for posting. Please include your full name and current home city. |
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Electrifying Rotuma by Henry Enasio We all know that electricity is a necessity in any modern society. There's no doubt about the many potential usages of electricity, including lighting, cooking, washing, heating, transportation, communication, health, education, entertainment, etc. These are needs and wants that confront, if not all, then most of the families in Rotuma. For these reasons I'd like to raise the issue of electrification with the Forum for community discussion. Many of our folks in Rotuma are fortunate to have the use of electricity, especially those living near the Government Station at Ahau. The cost of electricity in Rotuma is considerable and has been the deciding factor for many families, but there are still those folks who are undeterred by cost. In fact, these are the bold ones who have taken steps forward to improve their living conditions and as a result we now see many private, village, and district electrification projects in Rotuma. A very noble investment indeed. However, given the closure, or the impending closure, of the Mobile Depot at Motusa due to non-profitability, coupled with an unreliable shipping service, the easy access to petrol and oil that was previously experienced will be nullified in the future. Thus it's time for our folks in Rotuma to look for alternative sources of electricity. Rotuma is blessed with an abundance of sun--a natural resource that is free to all and can be harnessed through the use of solar panels. Solar energy is an alternative to the fossil fuel used by generators in Rotuma; one of its great advantages is that it will not be at the mercy of erratic shipping services. It's true that solar power is expensive to install, but it is much cheaper to run after the initial costs have been met. There's a lot that can be learned about solar power; those folks who have seen Semesi's house at Lopta will agree that solar power is an investment worth considering for the future. _____________________________________________ Following from my thoughts about the electrification of Rotuma, I would be remiss not to comment on the Mobil depot at Motusa. It's unfortunate that a business decision was taken to close the depot based on its viability, but I believe that it's a blessing in disguise. For a business to go belly up in only five years suggests that not enough research and planning was done to ensure it's viability. Personally, I believe that it was set up in the first place with too little concern for its impact by one of the late chiefs of Itu’ti’u in order to woo the support of the people, but that's another matter and my own opinion. First and foremost is my concern about the impact of the depot on the people who live close by the tanks. I don’t believe that the environmental impact of the tanks was ever properly assessed. Although unconfirmed, I have heard of skin rashes experienced by people who live close to the tanks. In any case, the ecosystem has definitely been impacted. For example, the island's water tables have been affected by the laying of pipes that will eventually corrode, while cleaning and flushing the tanks will leave toxic residues in the ground. This has dire consequences, because the poisonous residues can seep into the underground fresh water. Should the water be affected the impact will be far reaching, for it will affect the whole of Rotuma. Thus, although the closure of the depot might be seen as an inconvenience to motorists and generator owners, it might be a good thing if it stops the poisoning of Rotuma's environment and waters. A study needs to be undertaken in order for us to fully know what the environmental impact has been. It may be a good project for one of our many science students at USP. If there have been any adverse effects then the people of Rotuma might want to ask or sue for appropriate compensation. Submitted 24 July 2004 --o0o--
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