Village curfews vs. public road

Dear Editor,

I write in support of the Prime Minister’s statement with regards to the village curfews vs. public road story as highlighted in your edition of 26th March 2018. 

My only appeal is to the appropriate authorities to clearly identify the boundary line of public access, namely public road and to disseminate the necessary awareness for the information of the general public.

The norm for every Samoan upbringing whether they live in villages or freehold land is that they always pray mostly in the morning for blessing and in the evening as a way of thanksgiving for the day’s work.

This includes all members of the family.

Village Councils have the right to impose evening curfews, as stipulated in the Village Fono Act but when it comes to issues that affect the general public, I believe it should be addressed.  

The Village Council should focus and concentrate more on what is happening internally by making sure during curfew members of each family are at home with their family in prayer.  

This will be a good opportunity to touch basis on the importance of family values as it is the foundation of our upbringing as Samoans, instead of guarding and interfering with the travelling public accessing public roads.

As far as I’m concerned, the definition of public place is “any road.”

People have the right to their own lands and can apply whatever they wish to do on their land.  

But when it comes to interfering with public roads then it has to stop. This applies to any road whether it is in the village boundary still it is a public road governed by law. Thank you.

 

Lora 

S89744110

Samoa Observer

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