15 Mar 2007

Niue works minister anxious to obtain power generators from NZ

10:25 am on 15 March 2007

Niue's works minister, Fisa Pihigia, says he had hoped that problems surrounding two additional diesel generators for the island would be solved in this week's meeting of the joint consultative group in Wellington.

Niue has been experiencing ongoing power problems since a serious fire at its power plant in June last year left it with two generators instead of four.

New Zealand is replacing those but an official says it is not a simple process sourcing all the necessary switching gear and distribution systems.

Fisa Pihigia has blamed bureaucracy for the hold up and joked that maybe he would have enormous excess baggage on the flight home.

"Meaning, with the two generators. Unfortunately, it's not happened. But I was assured by the minister after our meeting that he'll do all that he can with his department to resolve the issue and fix up the problem that we're facing."