Govt. urged to place people’s needs first

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 03 January 2018, 12:00AM

It is high time the government prioritizes what’s important. 

So says Ielu Itamua of Falelauniu and Toamua.

Speaking to the Village Voice yesterday, Itamua has welcomed another new year, but certain issues such as the expensive cost of living continue to be a problem.

He said the cost of living is ridiculously expensive.

“We can barely afford it and the problem is the cost of living goes up while people’s salary stay the same,” Mr. Itamua told the Village Voice team yesterday. 

 “It’s a new year, but we are still faced with the same challenges and the struggles.”

“It’s time to make some change and I believe it should start from the government.”

“They should lower the cost of living just a little bit and prioritize what needs to be done first.”

“Life is getting harder and harder by the day and we cannot go on like this forever.”

“We have families and the fact of the matter is that the people are suffering, but it’s just that the government is turning a blind eye on issues that matter the most.”

Mr. Itamua says working hard is the best way to cope with the struggles of life. 

“If we don’t work, we won’t be able to provide for our family,” he said. 

 “With the high cost of living nowadays, we will do anything to look after our family and it also means any kind of job will do.”

“We are from Toamua, but I got a job that requires me and my family to move here to Falelauniu to look after a sheep farm and the family land that belongs to one of the most popular family in Samoa.”

“I started off by working at their shop, but it has been a year since I moved here and it’s been good.”

“I get paid $250 per week. So it’s just my wife and my two children who are still young so they are not yet in school.”

“It’s just enough for me and my family and we sometimes visit our family in Toamua.”

Mr. Itamua said for families like his, with the expensive cost of living, most would barely make it through. 

“I mean for me, it’s okay, $250 is just enough for me and my family but for most families, it will be a struggle.”

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 03 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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