Stall owner denies owing money

By Sarafina Sanerivi 19 July 2016, 12:00AM

A stall owner at the Fugalei Market has vehemently rejected a claim by the Accident Compensation Corporation’s  (A.C.C) she owes a substantial amount of money in rent.

Mena Tuala Taimalelagi had initially criticised A.C.C’s decision to order her to pay $1,300 in order for her to resume using stall number 89 at the market.

She raised the issue after the A.C.C had sealed off the stall, demanding that she pays the arrears. An official at A.C.C rejected the criticisms saying Ms. Taimalelagi owed them $720.

But Ms. Taimalelagi disputed this.

“The answer they provided is very disappointing,” she told the Samoa Observer.

“I agree that I have arrears but its only $180 tala, not $720.”

According to the stall owner, the A.C.C needs to do the right thing.

“They are covering up but the fact that they have ordered me to pay for $1,300 arrears while they are also chasing the previous owner of the stall. 

That means if I pay and the previous owner also pays, we will both be paying the same arrears. This means that the amount we are paying is $2,600 which is ridiculous.”

Asked if she would use the stall again, Ms. Taimalelagi said no.

 “For them to say it’s normal that anyone who wants to use a stall has to pay for the arrears that’s already there is just ridiculous,” she said.

“I don’t want to go there again but all I want now is for them to give back my $500 tala that I paid for that arrears and they can go find whoever made that arrears.

“That’s all I want now is for them to give back my money. 

“Nobody should go through this by suffering to pay for someone else’s debt, it’s just not right. 

“They know that they are wrong and yet they still can’t admit that they are wrong. Instead they make it look like I’m the bad one here.”

By Sarafina Sanerivi 19 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>