The Government has a soft spot for people who comply with instructions they give. That’s the response from Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi to criticisms directed at his suggestion about who can and cannot use the new Fugalei Market when it is completed.

“Those who moved to Vaitele were the ones who complied with the government,” Tuilaepa told the Samoa Observer.

“There is a place in the heart of the government for those who comply. “Now, you see this new market at Fugalei (the Tole’afoa Faafisi complex) is causing traffic problems. This is the result of people who don't want to listen.”

Tuilaepa said if market vendors had listened to his advise to use the market at Vaitele, none of the problems that now exist at Fugalei would have cropped up. He was referring to traffic queues, health issues among other problems.

The Prime Minister said there are always good reasons behind the Government’s decisions. Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister said “only those who heeded government’s advice [about Vaitele]” will be allowed to use the Fugalei market when it is completed.

“Those who moved to other private markets around town, the government feels they should stay there and provide business for those private entrepreneurs,” Tuilaepa said.

“Only new vendors and those who agreed to move to the market facility at Vaitele will be allowed to come back to the Fugalei market when it is completed. If they choose to.” On Tuesday, Tuilaepa defended his position.

“I am following the Lord’s advice not to give service to two masters,” he said. “If you service two markets, you end up loving one and ignoring the other.” “The government is being benevolent in saying we support those business people who have made a place for the vendors.

So they can have those people as their clients and the government will look for new clients as well as those who listened to government to fill up the new market.” Tuilaepa said that in a few weeks time, market vendors who were once angry about his comments would be happy.

“They are going to love me over the next few weeks,” he said. “Up until now, they do not understand the extent of the sacrifice that those who own those lands have gone through to make sure that their services are continued.

“Now obviously, they don’t want to go and sell their wares at the market the government built and they have chosen to use these other properties.

“ The government has a partnership with the private sector.

The government also protects the private sector. It is totally unfair that members of the private sector go out of their way to provide those sellers with a place to sell their wares and then when the market is finished, they’ll just get up and go and leave them on a ledge.

“What I am saying is that there are many other people who have yet to get a place in the old market because there was not enough spaces.