Residents of Moamoa Fou are calling on Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and his administration for assistance.

One of them, Tagaloa Ta’avale Masoe, said they desperately need help after the road there was washed away during Saturday’s flooding. 

More than 70 families living in the area have been affected.

In the hot sun yesterday afternoon, close to 20 men and women were piling up rocks in an effort to erect a temporary access road to allow residents to cross the river.

“Our family has lived here for a long time and this is the first time we have experienced this unfortunate situation,” said Tagaloa.

“The river has even washed away part of the land.

There are about 300 people who use the road on a daily basis.

“I hope the Prime Minister will consider offering some assistance for us,” he told the Samoa Observer. 

 “The unfortunate situation has deprived us from our Sunday church activities and family gatherings as we cannot get to the other side. 

“We have had to build a temporary walkway to commute over to other side otherwise, we would be stuck on this end.”

Tagaloa added that students need to get to school today.

“This has literally put a pause on our daily routines, a day we will never get back because road was washed away by the river. 

“The Government should consider building a concrete road to assure this does not happen again. 

“Fortunately no one was injured.”

Another family that has suffered tremendously is Fa’aifoaso Joe Leaumoana. He suggested for the Government to provide a permanent solution rather than something that will not last. 

“We relocated from town area due to flooding and yet we encountered this unfortunate predicament.  

“Our family was unable to go to church today and to be honest it is quite disappointing that we are still encountering such problems. 

“We all know the effects of climate change, and we need to act before the natural disaster strikes. 

“Like in our case, the government should consider building a tougher and sturdier bridge to assure this does not happen,” said Fa’aifoaso. 

He told the Samoa Observer that other bridges overflowed as well and yet it rained for several hours. 

“As an island we will continue to encounter such problems, and I hope that we will get the assistance that we need from the Government.”

It was not possible to get a comment from the Government yesterday.