A shop in Saleufi, which previously said it had approval from authorities to use the public footpath to store and display their merchandise, has removed its goods clearing the way for pedestrians' use.

A fortnight ago the owner of the Quicksalestore on Taufusi Road, a man who identified himself as Dr Li, told the Samoa Observer that they had permission to store and display their goods in front of their business on the footpath.

He claimed the business had the approval of the Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) to display and store their merchandise on the footpath.

A member of the public had initially complained that the shop’s goods were blocking their access to the footpath. 

The area in question had a tent placed in front of the shop’s entrance with various products such as pot plants on display. The tent and the products took up most of the sidewalk.

But the L.T.A. management when queried by the Samoa Observer said that there were no such approvals granted to the firm.

The authority’s Procurement and Programming Division Manager, Matthew Wendt, also told this newspaper that since the matter was publicised the LTA has received a formal request to utilise 5 metres fronting of the building.

“Our team is preparing a response to this and our legal team is assisting in advice on the applicable penalties under the law to this effect,” he said.

“As you may know, there is a mutual respect expressed through a Samoan saying ‘e tausi le avafatafata’, meaning there is patience in advising the public of laws as in this case.

“As it is now and due to the repeated complaints, the authority has had to resort to its powers under the law to resolve this issue of which your office [Samoa Observer] thankfully has highlighted again.

“Thus the response to the business establishment will be to ensure no more nuisance along the footpath in this area, considering all aspects of this request.”