Foul smelling drainage

By Ilia L. Likou 21 February 2017, 12:00AM

Foul odours from a drainage hole at Vaitele is causing major concerns for the owner of K.S. Mart, Mr Hong.

In fact it is such a problem, that he is tired of complaining about it and getting a run around from the agencies he has contacted.

He initially contacted the Planning and Urban Management Agency (P.U.M.A.) and during efforts to get a comment from P.U.M.A. last week, an official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that it is the Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) who should be contacted when it comes to drainage.

Mr Hong’s frustration with the lack of response to his problem, has been mirrored by efforts of this newspaper to follow up this problem.

Meanwhile, Mr Hong, his staff and customers are continuing to suffer from this health hazard.  

“The thing is, I believe the drainage around the shop is too small (narrow) for the water to flow through,” he said. 

“The problem started ever since a big company opened just behind us, but if only the drainage system was big enough, then it wouldn't smell.

“When  it's sunny days then the foul smell starts to come out." He claims this is a problem for his clients especially since they sell coffee and food items from his store.

“No one wants to eat or come to our shop when the foul smell greets them before entering," he said.

d be all right."

The problem has escalated so much that he can no longer continue to ignore it.

“We can’t go on like this with the smell, not only for us but also for our customers."

Another huge concern is the business provides vacant space where the general public can sit and rest from the sun while waiting for transportation.

“The smell is like a septic tank smell and I think the rubbish and blockage underneath makes it even worse."

Vaitele resident, Taumaoe Lolia’i said the government allocates millions to construction companies for roading yet fails to include drainage systems.

“I’ve been living in this area ever since I was young,” he said.

“You know what,  his is an ongoing problem, and people end up having to spend their own money to fix these problems while those companies (constructing drainage) and L.T.A. are still doing nothing ‘eva le laufau malū’

Taumaoe said that the smell is really bad.

“KS Mart is one of many shops in this area where we used to rest, I mean I’m  talking about us - we hardly go to expensive restaurants but only a cup of coffee then we find a shade (in front of the shop) from the sun and enjoy it.

“To be honest, the smell is very bad whenever you go by his lot here at Vaitele.

“Not only here (Vaitele Industrial area) but the problem is also in the town area as well.

 “As a citizen of this country, it is shocking that the government have not taken any steps for improving the system so far in lowlying areas.

“Many times this problem has been brought up...nothing has been done. 

An attempt to get comments from L.T.A. was unsuccessful.

By Ilia L. Likou 21 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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