A local farmer from Tiavea, Aleipata hoping to sell his talo and bananas inside the Fugalei market on Tuesday ended up selling them on the footpath as the market was closed due to the public holiday. 

Timoteo Taiao, 55, said he was frustrated at the State of Emergency restrictions and difficulties added on to his already challenging commute from the far end of Upolu in to the central business district.

"Even though it's hard for me to bring talo and banana from Tiavea to sell at the Fugalei Market, I try my best to bring it for decent sales so I can support my family," he said.

“This is the only source of income for me and my family. My wife and our two children rely on the plantations to get money for church and family obligations. I pay $50 or more to other family members of our village, who have cars, in order for me to bring my food crops (Fua o Faaeleeleaga) over to  the market to sell. It is not easy but I know it’s better to bring it here than selling them in our district.”

“Sadly the market is closed because of the public holiday and the S.O.E. orders. Now we are selling our talo and banana on the foot path with no people to come and buy them. 

"I’m ok with the public holiday, but the uncertainty of [S.O.E.] restrictions is dishonest. There are more than a hundred people gathered together at Mulinuu for the political march, but no celebration of Independence so that we can get more customers. 

"The town is always full and packed when we have this special occasion and celebrations but the S.O.E. restrictions stops everyone from coming to town to celebrate the independence and do their shopping like many years before.”

Timoteo said that he normally collects about $300 a day, depending on what he sells, and that money is used to pay his transportation and other expenses and also to support his family. He also said that he hopes for the food market to open during these special days.