Father calls on P.M. for water help

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 24 March 2018, 12:00AM

Kilino Ioane’s family has been living without a stable water supply for more than 30 years. 

The 56-year-old father is appealing to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi to instruct the Samoa Water Authority (S.W.A.) to invest in installing water pipes for Tapatapao residents. 

Mr. Ioane said it is a struggle living without a stable water supply. 

“It is ironic that the S.W.A. tanks are about 200 meters from my house, yet we don’t have access to a stable water source. 

“I understand that because we live on a hill and it is difficult, but at this time and age where we are at, I would think the Government should focus to help vulnerable families like us. 

“It is pathetic that my house is almost situated on the tanks and yet our family, who has been living here for more than 30 years, does not have access to water,” said the frustrated father. 

The father of three said his children struggled to fetch water from the waterfall and now he has grandchildren, yet it is the same predicament. 

“So please Mr. Prime Minister, Samoa has graduated from the least developing countries as you proudly say all the time, can you please help us? 

“If the Government does not have the finances to invest in installing of water pipes for our families, can we please have a water tank? 

“I am now a grandfather and yet my family is still without stable water supply and I hope the Government will consider the plea. 

“That would be greatly appreciated,” said Mr. Ioane. 

He told the Village Voice team one of the daily chores for his family is to fetch water for drinking, cooking and shower. 

“It gets tiring fetching water daily, but you know the saying beggars cannot be choosers, so we have no choice. 

“We literaly depend on the rain but as you know, it does not rain all the time. 

“If it does not rain then we have to fetch water,” he said. 

A farmer, Mr. Ioane said they live off the proceeds of their plantation.  

“We don’t make much but we live with what we have and as a farmer, we always have food, but what my family needs is a water tank. 

“We cannot afford it and yet we see other families selling their donated water tanks. So I hope that sooner or later a Good Samaritan or the Government will consider the plea.”  

Mr. Ioane uses buckets, pots and whatever clean plastics available to store water.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 24 March 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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