Question of quality vs quantity

Re: Millions wasted on bad roads 

The World Bank funds all the roads that don’t fall apart in the wet weather. 

The best roads in Samoa are funded by the World Bank eg: the 4 lane vaitele arterial. Most other roads in Samoa are funded by the Government (ie: the taxpayers) of Samoa.

The problem is that there is not enough money to build the really good roads.

Most villages are demanding plantation roads and other roads to be built and MPs want to have something to show to their district to remember them by every five years when the elections come up.

In my opinion, the government has taken the view that it is better to fund a higher number of lower quality roads, which are cheaper to build than to fund a smaller number of top quality roads which are more expensive to build. 

“It is better to at least have “a” road even if it turns into potholes rather than no road at all, leaving just a mud path.”

I think the public expectation is now changing. It is obviously better to have quality over quantity given the wear and tear on the growing number of cars on the roads.

The government needs to prioritise quality over quantity. 

A good quality road will win the MP more votes rather than a road that turns into potholes after the first rains.

Petelo Suaniu 

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.

>