Minister answers Moamoa Fou’s call for help

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 30 April 2018, 12:00AM

The Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang, has come to the rescue of more than 70 families living in Moamoa.

After their road was washed away during Saturday’s flooding, the residents called on the Government for help on the front page of yesterday’s Samoa Observer. 

 “I read the paper and that is how I found out about the condition here at Moamoa Fou,” Papali’i said. 

 “I visited the area myself and then instructed the Land Transport Authority to hire a contract to work on a temporary fix for a road for these families.”

On Sunday, residents of Moamoa Fou called on Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and his administration for assistance. 

One of them, Tagaloa Ta’avale Masoe, said they desperately need help after the floods washed away their road.

But they didn’t want to wait. In the hot sun on Sunday afternoon, close to 20 men and women were piling up rocks in an effort to erect a temporary access road to allow residents to cross the river. 

“Our family has lived here for a long time and this is the first time we have experienced this unfortunate situation,” said Tagaloa. 

“The river has even washed away part of the land. 

There are about 300 people who use the road on a daily basis. 

The Minister told the Samoa Observer he welcomes direct complaints to his office for assistance. 

“I think it’s good too that families have reached out directly to the newspaper to get their message across to us, obviously it worked,” said Papali’i. 

“Most of these issues I don’t hear about it unless it’s reported to me by the L.T.A. or your paper. 

“Again I instructed the L.T.A. to conduct site visits to other villages to see if there is a need for road assistance and to prioritize this matter,” said Papali’i. 

He said that another road that was washed away was in Alafua. 

“That road has already been fixed as well,” said Papali’i. 

The Minister said, the Government would be looking for funds for a permanent fix but that will take time. 

In the meantime, Tagaloa said the flooding has disrupted their daily routine. 

“This has literally put a pause on our daily routines, a day we will never get back because the road was washed away by the river.  

“The Government should consider building a concrete road to assure this does not happen again.”  

Another family that has suffered tremendously is Fa’aifoaso Joe Leaumoana. He suggested for the Government to provide a permanent solution rather than something that will not last.  

“We relocated from town area due to flooding and yet we encountered this unfortunate predicament.” 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 30 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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