Ipiniu Ioane is seeking assistance for a steady road to their residence in Tapatapao. 

“We need help with a steady road to our house.” 

“During the recent tropical cyclone, a landslide occurred due to the overflowing waterfall and it is quite dangerous for our family.” 

“If you stand over the specific part where the landslide occurred, it is quite steep and one missed step you can fall into the waterfall.” 

Mr. Ioane is a farmer and cannot afford to pay for a backhoe to fix their road. 

“I am not sure whether the Government will help, but I have tried to go and seek assistance from the Land Transport Authority for help but so far no luck.” 

“I have also asked assistance from our Village Mayor again, no help.”

“I fear for the safety of my young children, we take this road to our house daily and one step in the wrong direction, you will land in the waterfall and as you can see it is quite steep,” he said. 

According to Mr. Ioane, if he could afford to purchase land, they would move given the unsafe condition of the road to their home. 

“But I cannot do that, I am a farmer who lives off proceeds from what we sell on Sundays in Vaitele.” 

“We simply cannot afford to relocate to another area.” 

“My wife and I have a taro farm and the recent cyclone damaged our farm, so we are struggling financially at the moment.” 

According to Mr. Ioane, most of the money they make goes to putting his children to school. 

“All my life I have been independent and even with our water as you know, the Government’s water connection does not reach our area, but I managed to cement a tank near the waterfall and put in place P.V.C. pipes for stable water supply for our house.” 

“I also managed to get E.P.C. to get electricity to our house, even though we live far from the electricity poles.” 

“But just this time, I know it is not within my means to pay for a backhoe or hire an engineer to assess the area and make a recommendation as to what has to be done, hence I’m seeking assistance through the Samoa Observer’s Village Voice.” 

Mr. Ioane also commended the Samoa Observer for creating the Village Voice section to assist families who are in dire need of help. 

Mr. Ioane can be reached on 763-2735.