As previously
reported, on August 15, Rarotonga faced an unexpected electricity outage,
attributed to a workplace accident involving four staff members, working to
test recent repairs on the cross-island cable. The accident occurred in
challenging terrain, resulting in injuries to the workers.
Today’s Cook
Islands News contained a number of inaccurate statements, including the false
and defamatory allegations as to a “cover up” and referencing – inaccurately – an internal staff email.
sent out on 23 October 2024.
The text of the
email reads as follows:
‘As many of
you may have seen, the article in today’s newspaper (also shared on Facebook)
covers the cross-island accident. I want to assure all staff that we are
thoroughly investigating this accident and are prioritising the well-being of
those affected. While this process takes time, we are committed to examining
every aspect of the accident and implementing measures to minimise the chances
of a recurrence. We are also drafting an official response to the article and will remind everyone that there is
one point of contact for communications with the public, so please refrain from discussing this matter outside of TAU.’
This messaging
was aimed at assuring all staff; it is an internal communication. Quite
obviously with three different investigations underway, it is important that all
communications are factual, and are not of a sort to prejudge or to influence
those investigations. Any well run organisation would take care to ensure that
there was a single, clearly identified, channel for communications with the
public and media
Chief Executive
Officer of TAU, Lesley Katoa, emphasizes that the health, well-being, and
privacy of the affected employees has at all times been one of the
organization’s top priorities throughout the investigation. In authorising
wider publication of the text of the email, Ms Katoa explains “We appreciate
the public interest in this matter and ask that TAU be allowed to undertake the
necessary processes which will help us to do better.”
Te Aponga’s
commissioned, external, review of its own internal investigation of
the accident is nearing completion. Katoa noted that thoroughness is
essential, requiring time for all relevant personnel to provide their accounts
and for a comprehensive examination of the technical actions that contributed
to the accident. “We have already begun implementing many of the recommendations
from the preliminary internal investigation,” she advises; external review
is expected to make further recommendations.
Following the
accident, TAU also reported it both to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and to the
Electrical Inspector.
Katoa reaffirms TAU’s commitment to maintaining a safe working environment for both employees and customers, as part of its core function of delivering reliable electricity to homes and businesses across the island.
END.
