Piles of plastic bottles and other rubbish are dumped along River Road near the Moatoga warehouse in Fugalei, raising concerns about environmental hazards and community safety.

Resident Lani Tupu said the dumping has been a recurring issue and poses risks to the river ecosystem.

“I’ve seen piles of plastic bottles and rubbish here for weeks now. It’s really affecting the area,” said Tupu.

“This not only makes the place look untidy but can also harm the fish and wildlife in the river,” said another resident, Tusi Atonu.

Samuha Niu, who walks along the river daily, added, “It’s frustrating because it feels like nobody is taking responsibility. We need action from the authorities.”

Samoa Observer contacted the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Lealaisalanoa Frances Brown Reupena, who responded, “We are not aware and thank you for letting us know."

"The Ministry will investigate. Please, you are welcome to note and report incidents on our Facebook page or by email. We encourage the public to report using social media for quick access and reporting.”

The incident highlights ongoing challenges in waste management and the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.