REWASAU villagers have released all the soldiers and Fiji
Electricity Authority workers whom they captured at the Wailoa
power station on Thursday.
Both the military and FEA have confirmed the safe release of the
people concerned.
The takeover of the hydro station was in support of a petition taken
to the Head of State and Army Commander, Commodore Voreqe
Bainimarama, by Naitasiri high chief, the Turaga Na Qaranivalu,
Ratu Inoke Takiveikata.
Yesterday a group of army and FEA officers met with the
Qaranivalu and Munasavu landowners to hear the landowners'
demands.
According to FEA public relations officer, Ratu Peni Volavola the
army officer in command (OC) at Wailoa had told him that they
were now still patrolling the area but all guns had been locked away
as the landowners had demanded.
The situation has normalised.
The landowners and soldiers were drinking grog and were being
visited by nearby villagers.
Recalling the takeover, Ratu Volavola was told that they took the
guns from the soldiers guarding the catchment after which they
closed the tunnel.
The landowners according to Ratu Volavola were usually hired by
FEA during outage (draining the tunnel) or when they clean the tunnel.
"They know exactly where the key to the tunnel is and how to turn it off,"
Ratu Volavola said.
They were still in control yesterday and they were awaiting the arrival of the
Qaranivalu and army officers for
talks.
From what he gathered from the OC at Wailoa, Ratu Volavola said the landowners
were happy with the
outcome of talks held at the military camp at Nabua but they wanted everything
in black and white.
Once that's done Ratu Volavola said the landowners had given their assurances
that control would be handed
over to FEA.
In the meantime all electricity in Viti Levu has been supplied by FEA diesel
power generators.
Because of this FEA would be rationing electricity to all areas and this will
go on until hydro electricity power
is restored.
Fiji's Daily Post
This site is best viewed using Netscape 4.0 or higher.
Any problems or kind suggestions, please email: webmaster@lookinglassdesign.com
last revision July 8, 2000