Call to review cost of living

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 17 June 2018, 12:00AM

Sixty-eight-year-old Kelikupa Ah Wa of Tanumapua is urging the Government to reconsider the high cost of living.

Village Voice team met Mr. Ah Wa heading home yesterday. He said the people are suffering from the high cost of living.

“We are poor because of the high cost of living,” he said.

“They don’t know where to go or who to turn to because everything is so expensive nowadays.”

“The cost of living is sky rocketing while the people’s salaries are going down.”

“We are suffering and as a small country we shouldn’t be.”

“Not long ago we celebrated 56 years of independence and yet some things never change like the cost of living.”

“I urge the Government to reconsider and look at the suffering that the people face because of their decision makings.” 

He also spoke about the senior citizens pensions.

“Another thing is the senior citizens pension, it’s just not enough,” he said.

“Most families rely on their elder’s pensions but it doesn’t last them a day or two.”

“You can use it all up in just one day because of the cost of living.”

“This is very sad, the Government says that this will benefit the people with the changes that they are making and yet they are the only ones who benefit from it.”

“I ask them to try and live in our shoes of having to stress $100 or $50 for a week with the church commitments, village commitments and then the children’s school.”

“I don’t think they’ll be able to cope but some families they are trying their best to get by every day.”

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 17 June 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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