The Fiji Labour Party is stressing that Energy Fiji Limited has a duty to ensure that its backup equipment is kept in readiness particularly during the cyclone season.
Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says they were told that the diesel generators normally used as backup are undergoing maintenance work.
He adds this is a clear sign of bad planning.
Chaudhry adds common sense dictates that maintenance work on such equipment should be done outside the cyclone season.
He further says the inconvenience and losses suffered by thousands of households and businesses must run into millions of dollars.
Chaudhry is asking how is EFL going to compensate these hapless people.
We have asked EFL for a response.
On Sunday, EFL CEO Hasmukh Patel confirmed that they had a couple of their generator sets that were out for maintenance and they were trying to get some of them back online.
He confirmed today that there have been some damages to the EFL infrastructure, especially in Western and Central Viti Levu.
Patel says their teams are working in the various locations and are systematically managing the restoration depending on the weather conditions in specific areas, receding water levels, clearance of blocked roads/bridges before the power supply is restored.
He also confirms that they expect to completely restore power in the West in a few days.
