Mulipola said work is continuing on the improvement and repair of electricity generators, as well as plans for the proper monitoring and management of the major assets.

The update comes after concerns raised by families and business owners who told the Samoa Observer they had not received compensation despite earlier government announcements that $1.9 million had been allocated for approved applicants.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt had announced earlier this year that payments would be made to approved applicants.

Pesi Samuelu, who owns a family shop in Nu’u, said three large freezers and a television were damaged during the outages. She said she spent her own money to buy another fridge and reuse an old one to keep the business operating.

Samuelu said she was approved for $3,400 in compensation, although she believed it was not enough to replace the damaged freezers.

“The reason I signed it was that I needed the money to quickly cover costs,” she said. “They should be honest if it is not in their budget.”

She said officials had told applicants that payments would be sent during the Mother’s Day weekend, but the money never appeared in her account.

Matamataimoana Ioane, who applied as a household applicant, said she agreed to compensation of $4,000 for a damaged fridge and television under a cabinet directive identified as FK (26).

She said attempts to contact the government accounts division had not been helpful.

Another applicant, Maria Fiu, said some unsuccessful applicants were later told they had failed to provide photographs of damaged items.

“We were never told that,” she said.

According to the earlier Samoa Observer report, more than 200 people were assessed under the Damage Assessment Criteria. Applicants were required to complete an Electronic Funds Transfer form and provide bank statements. The application period opened on 11 April 2025 and was later extended by one week.