Where are the feasibility studies?

Dear Editor,

Re: Vision or foolish dreams?

Thanks Mata’afa for the editorial. Apparently some of these projects are funded more with/by foreign aid, grants, loans or other overseas sources. 

Our tax base will not have been enough to fund them. 

So, yes, it could be a matter of irresponsible spending on the part of the government that these projects end up as failed ventures and/or mothballed buildings.

My more important concern has to do with feasibility studies. 

Are/were there any done for these projects, especially the failed ones like the Vaitele market? 

Feasibility Study is “an analysis and evaluation of a proposed project to determine if it: 

(1) is technically feasible, 

(2) is feasible within the estimated cost, and 

(3) will be profitable. 

Feasibility studies are almost always conducted where large sums are at stake. Also called feasibility analysis.” Sometimes it’s called cost benefit analysis.

If these were done, then by whom? 

Hopefully by some neutral/impartial company and not by the government itself. And if they were not done, then what does that tell us about the government? The government should know that it can use such studies as recourse in any accountability and liability probes. There should be a law/act/provision requiring these studies/analyses, at least for transparency. 

But then again, does a government with absolute power care at all?

 

LV Letalu 

Lalomanu and Utah 

Samoa Observer

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