Dear Editor,

While the Pacific and the rest of the world are preparing emergency response plans to deal with the direct consequences of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi government is preoccupied with distributing cash payments to secure support for its continuing FAST government political agenda.

The nation needs to hear the FAST government's concrete plans to address the looming shortage of fuel, essential imported food and medical supplies.

They will not be able to buy their way out of the hard times that are coming.

The only reassurance we've heard from Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt is that the country has the capacity to store fuel for up to two years!

The truth is that Samoa can only hold enough fuel for three months!

This misinformation only deepens public mistrust and leaves us vulnerable in a time of crisis.

It doesn't help that the policies put forward by the FAST government are disproportionately affecting businesses, leading to a decline in profitability.

This, in turn, is causing a drop in government revenues from taxes and duties.

It is evident that poor governance and misguided policies lead to financial strain and potential bankruptcy.

The so-called village development projects are draining millions of tālā from the Treasury but not generating any revenues for the government.

Despite the FAST government spending millions, we continue to experience power blackouts, shortages of basic imports and long traffic queues throughout the day.

Samoans are realising that the vote-buying cash payment is not enough to cover the high cost of goods and services that will continue to rise as the Middle East conflict spreads.

The hardship will continue long after that $150 is spent.

As always in times of trouble, the FAST government turns to prayer and fasting for divine intervention instead of addressing the problems.

May the joyous resurrection fill us with hope and righteous courage to defeat the destructive forces of deceit, division and discrimination.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP