In a first public statement regarding the work place tragedy of January 13 that has killed three young men, two of whom were fathers, the Samoa News quotes Governor Lolo Moliga saying, “the incident is not lost on the government and we would like to lend assistance to the men injured and the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident.”
The newspaper says the governor also expresses his deepest condolences to the victims’ families.
On Tuesday, KHJ news reported that readers of our news website, talanei.com , had questioned why there has been no comment or statement of sympathy from the leaders of our government for the deaths.
We quoted Chief of Staff Fiu Johnny Saelua saying that they are gathering information before issuing a statement.
The Samoa News reports that the Workmen’s Compensation Office has been waiting on the company or companies, and insurance involved to file the appropriate documents so they can work on these cases.
Workmen’s Compensation covers all employees both in the private sector and government.
Some of the work related claims now before the Workmen’s Compensation Board for review date back several years.
Commissioner of Public Safety Lei Sonny Thompson said shortly after the fateful incident that there were 6 people taken to the hospital.
But a person who is closely affiliated with the incident and whom KHJ News has verified to be a reliable source, has identified by name 12 employees of Manu’a Store who were treated at the LBJ Hospital that Saturday, after being exposed to electrocution.
In the aftermath of the accident, the Manu’a Store at the Industrial Park where the incident happened has closed.
In the meantime, several officials from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration have been in the territory to conduct an investigation into what is the worst work place accident in the territory in recent memory.
