A good number of people are pleased with the recent announcement by the American Samoa Power Authority that, effective October 1, customer service hours for utility payments and all inquiries will be from 7:30am
- 4:00pm, at both locations in Tafuna and Satala.
The same offices will also be open on Saturdays from 7:30am - 12:00pm. In addition, ASPA management will be available for all other inquiries from 7:30am - 10:00am at both ASPA locations.
This means that normal business hours have been extended to Saturdays between 7:30am - 10:00am. The announcement of the new hours has been accepted with open arms by early risers who have often had to find ways to “kill time” in the morning while waiting for ASPA workers to start their business day, as well as customers who are always struggling to beat the 3:00pm closing time for utility payments.
“Providing quality, cost effective, and reliable utility service to our customers is the reason why ASPA was established as a semi-autonomous agency of the American Samoa Government,” said an ASPA statement. “In order to serve our customers effectively, the hours of operation must be realistic to accommodate the needs and demands of the community.
ASPA Management believes that changing the hours to 7:30am will meet the needs of the customer and also benefit ASPA with its collection.”
The semi-autonomous agency explained, “Since power, water, waste water, and solid waste are vital necessities of life that are required at all times, ASPA has taken a step further to open its doors and help the community with their needs by opening early on weekdays, Saturdays, in addition to having management available on Saturdays to take any walk-in customers who would like to meet in person.”
ASPA’s decision to implement new hours came after officials observed the crowd at the Tafuna office on Saturdays and considered the last minute needs of customers on debit meters.
The new hours will definitely cater to the general population, specifically those who need reconnection services.
ASPA said that more customers, new homes, and businesses being serviced by ASPA during past years and even the present time, were also factors considered in the extension of business hours at ASPA.
According to the utility authority, internal staff training including American Samoa Lineman Training
(ALT) conducted by local certified employees, and Water System Operators (WSO) training conducted by an official from the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency have already begun.
“Training of front line employees is a key component in the organization to guarantee reliable services, and workers will be well geared with the proper tools, skills and knowledge to carry out their tasks,” said ASPA.
“ASPA Today” is built on “the management and staff’s proactive commitment as we acknowledge our mission of providing quality, safe, economical, and sustainable utility services in partnership with our customers, the community of American Samoa and the pacific region. Extension of working hours and building local capacity is a step forward in bridging our time at ASPA to serve our community!” |
