Govt. urged to walk the talk and address cost of living

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 16 March 2017, 12:00AM

If the government is serious about helping people, they should do something about the cost of living.

So says Lipeni Tiasaga from the village of Leauvaa. She says the cost of living has become unbearable.

The 45-year-old said most families in Samoa couldn’t afford the cost of living.

She also blames the government for not knowing and being deaf to the plight of so many poor families.

“So much has changed in Samoa,” Lipine explained. 

“One of the changes is the prices for everything in the shops; it’s so expensive. There doesn’t seem to be any sort of kindness towards the people, especially for those who struggle. 

“It’s not like back in the days when everything was a lot more affordable for our people.” 

Lipine says that in the past you could get things at the shops for just a few cents. 

“Back then we can even stretch $10 throughout the whole month,” she said. 

“We also could find things at the shops which were very cheap and it was a big help for families who didn’t earn that much money.” 

But Samoa today is a different story.

 “There is nothing like that anymore.

“Right now a lot of people have to walk long distances just to see which shop sells goods at a lower price so that they can save a few cents.” 

And that’s why she likes the Chinese shops.

“I know it’s not right for Chinese to make development in our country but I tell you without their help in selling cheap goods we would have struggled even more.” 

She said many Samoans are grateful to the Chinese.

 “But the way I see it, no matter how hard people keep addressing the issue nothing has changed. I know people ask the government to re-consider the cost of living many times but nothing has changed. 

“The question is why? 

“I guess the government are busy building extra mansions but do not have the time to hear people’s struggles at all. This is sad.

“The cost of living is silly and many of us suffer because of it. 

“The tobacco plantation is also our way of dealing with the high cost of living. 

“On the other hand, I have a request for the government because they are the one who deal with the trading of goods. 

“I want them to re-consider cost of living immediately by having some sense of humanity for people like us who are struggling.”

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 16 March 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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