Construction of a new power station underway; Concerns raised by Jacobsen over lack of consultation

The government has already started with the construction of a new power station.

According to the Premier Dalton Tagelagi, plans for a new power station was in the pipeline last year with the former government and earlier this year, it was confirmed to proceed.

The project is funded by Australia which includes the procurement of two generators and the construction of the new building which has already started.

BCN asked if there was an EIA conducted on this project. the Premier said, “that the process of conducting the EIA is on-going”.

During the press conference, the Premier said that he did not know the full cost of the project. The construction of the new power station has already started at Kaimiti, next to Telecom Niue.

The existing power station at Tuila was flooded earlier this year during a recorded rainfall which forced an emergency national power shutdown.

The successful contractor for the project is Mautama Constructions, the same company which built the Joint Emergency Operations Centre at Fonuakula.

Upon hearing the news on radio, MP O’love Jacobsen raised her concerns about the lack of consultation with the residents in the area and that it is also near the hospital.

Jacobsen also raised her concern in relation to the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, she says it seems as if it was an afterthought rather than due process required before beginning the construction.