The owner of Samoa’s first amusement park has decried public criticism of the fees his company charges for the different entertainment services.

Fia Fia Park Owner, Tupa’i Bruno Loyale, said he had to personally fund the establishment of the park and its daily maintenance to ensure it is safe for public use is costly.

“Samoa did not have an amusement park, now here is an amusement park," he said. 

"It may not be the same as the Rainbow's End but this is a beautiful park for such a small country. This is a one-man job and it costs a lot for everything in the park to get here. This is not a Government project, we don't have investors, this is all me.”

The cost of maintaining the theme park is also expensive, according to Tupa’i and it is his responsibility to make sure that the theme park is safe for public use every day.

Tupa’i said the rates charged are already the lowest his company can offer and he will not drop the prices any further, if he is to have a smooth operation.

Due to the 2020 academic year getting underway in Samoa, he said the Fia Fia Park will only open on Saturdays from 5pm to 12am.

"Saturdays from 5pm to 12am are the opening hours for the Fia fia Amusement park, kids are required to go home and rest on Sunday evening to prepare for school the next day," he added.

The theme park owner also lamented what he described as “a lack of appreciation” by the public for the work that he has already done on the park.

"These rides are very expensive, I had to get these from Florida, Las Vegas and other parts of America. It also costs a lot to get it here in Samoa, but I'm just sad that people don't see how much work I do just to make sure there is an amusement park for families," he added.

Tupa’i also refuted claims that customers pay 0.50 sene to use the bathroom, saying they do not charge for the use of the bathrooms which are free.

"I saw some people saying that the park charges .50 sene for the use of the bathroom, no I do not charge that the bathrooms are for free, the signs there it says donation not charge," he added.