22 Mar 2007

Samoan village defies hydro power plant to try to safeguard purity of its rivers

8:06 pm on 22 March 2007

Members of a Samoan village are meeting up with the Minister of Works and the Environment Minister next week to hear how plans to build a hydro power station on their land will affect them.

The village council of Sili is concerned about the impact the station might have on the two rivers which provide their main source of water and food.

Construction is due to start on the plant by the end of the year and promises to provide electricity for the whole of Savaii island which is currently supplied by a diesel generator.

Our correspondent in Samoa, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia says the village has always tried to safeguard the purity of the rivers.

"They have a ban on the use of any chemicals on the land because they don't want any environmental impact on the river because they are relying on it for food from the river and also the daily water supply for consumption."

Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia