The $5.7million market at Vaitele once described as a “gold mine” by the former Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, has instead become a flop. Now the government is looking for someone to develop it. It is a last desperate attempt to recover the money spent on the multimillion-tala project. What do you think should be done to the market? Misiona Simo asked in today’s Street Talk and this is what people said:

Soo Aiono, 25,

Fasitoo uta.

I like it how they made this market but the only problem is the market is too far at the back. 

I think that’s why not many people come here to do their shopping because they don’t want to waste their time coming here when they know that they sell better stuff at the market in Apia. 

I think that’s why not many people come here. I think they should sell it to a Chinese businessman.

Lua Pisigaoto, 48,

Saleimoa.

You hardly see anyone here because I think we should only have one market. Most people  usually go and do their shopping in town. 

I think the only thing they can do is really lower the rent to attract more shops here. When you have shops here, people will come.

Alamoni Sae, 51, 

Vaitele Fou. 

I don’t usually go there that’s why I don’t know much about this. But I can just see from here that not that many people go to it. 

What I know is that it’s too far back and the road is very bad if you walk. 

I think the government should find a way to recover the millions wasted there.

Epe Feata, 40, 

Matautu Lefaga. 

People hardly come to buy stuff from here. I even went in there and had a look but they don’t have that many products. 

I think there were only four of them selling bananas and some other stuff compared to the market in town which is full and a lot of people go there to buy their food. 

I think they should turn the place into some sort of hotel or an accommodation for people from Savaii to use when they come to Apia. Charge them $10 a night but at least they are making some money.

Vito Vaifale, 29,

Leauvaa

What I’m thinking right now is that the government should think first of fixing the bathrooms here in the market. 

I’ve seen it, it’s really bad. Basic things like that will attract people and business to a place. 

It’s sad because it has a lot of potential but the whole concept has been poorly developed.