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Appliances on Rota damaged due to frequent outages
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Posted on Aug 15 2011
Rota residents have complained that their appliances have been damaged because of frequent power fluctuations on the island.
Barrie Toves, a resident of Sinapalo village and the director of the Division of Youth Services on the island, disclosed to Saipan Tribune that they have experienced multiple power interruptions for almost two weeks as a result of undisclosed works of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
He said he tried to inquire at the agency’s trouble desk many times but failed to get any information about the power outages.
Toves, who is also a board member of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, said Friday that because of the incidents, he lost his family computer, refrigerator, and a printer due to severe damage. He estimated the monetary value of his losses at over $2,000. A replacement for his refrigerator alone will set him back $600.
“It’s been almost every day for about two weeks. From one hour to almost the whole day, we experienced the power outage in Sinapalo. I believe that other residents have suffered the same where it also damaged their appliances and other equipment,” he said.
Toves recalled that it was Thursday last week when they last experienced the power fluctuations on his village. Since it occurred two weeks ago, he said CUC failed to issue any advanced notice or announcement about the multiple power interruptions.
“I believe it’s the responsibility of the CUC to inform its customers about what’s happening especially with this kind of incidents. I tried to call their trouble desk several times but failed to get any information,” he told Saipan Tribune, adding that if a notice was sent properly, residents can prepare and protect their appliances.
CUC executive director Abe Utu Malae yesterday said that the Rota incidents were due to a damaged engine alternator.
“One of the Mitsui engine alternators was damaged by moisture and we had to take it off line. We sent an electrician last week to work on the alternator,” he said, adding that CUC has to keep sending skilled workers to Rota as needed to address the island’s power problems.
