Transit Motel owner opposes Govt. plan

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 13 July 2018, 12:00AM

Plans by the Government to build a ‘bed and breakfast hotel’ at the Mulifanua wharf have been cricitised by a motel owner, who said the State should not compete with local businesses.

Owner of Transit Motel in Mulifanua, Pa’u Dr. Roy Ausage, described the plan is ‘ludicrous’ and contrary to the tenets of democracy in Samoa.

“The statement by Samoa Shipping Corporation (S.S.C.) general manager, HC Papali'i Willie Nansen that the new bed-and-breakfast hotel is ‘not to compete with our local businesses’ is ludicrous. Contrary to HC Papali’i’s statement, the new bed and breakfast Hotel by S.S.C. will compete with the local businesses, unless the new facility provides free accommodation.  As long as the hotel charges users, it will compete with businesses around the area providing similar service,” he said in an interview with Samoa Observer.

“The Government provides ocean transportation service for our people because of the inability of the private companies to do so. Similarly, the Samoa Shipping Corporation was established to provide ocean transportation service for the public.

It was never set up in my opinion and without privy to the charter of S.S.C., to construct and operate a bed and breakfast hotel in Mulifanua for the travelling public.

In this case, the Government of Samoa is competing with its own people and there is a clear violation of the tenets of democracy.” 

According to Papali'i, the hotel project will cost the State-owned shipping company close to $200,000 and is a step in the right direction as it will cater for the travelling public.

“I mean we want to move forward like everyone else and the Mulifanua wharf is turning out to be exactly as we planned a one-stop-shop. We now have a branch of the bank, automated teller machine, stores and new restrooms,” he said in a recent interview.

But Pa’u disagreed and said the role of the Government is to provide services that are not available from the private sector. 

“The Government provides ocean transportation service for our people because of the inability of the private companies to do so. Similarly, the Samoa Shipping Corporation was established to provide ocean transportation service for the public,” he added.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 13 July 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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