Good news for the Tualauta motorists — the Department of Public Works has an urgent plan to address pot holes in Tualauta, and the Fagaima Road repair will commence very soon, as these issues were discussed by Tualauta lawmakers, Larry Sanitoa and Vui Florence Vaili Saulo when they met with DPW Director, Faleosina Faiai Voigt this week.

In a letter to the DPW Director, Vui pointed out that the Tafuna-Faga’ima road is one of the many items on her priority list of improvements. She noted that everyone who traverses the Tafuna-Faga’ima road, especially during heavy rainstorms, is personally familiar with the dire circumstances which exist in that stretch of highway. 

“Not only is there a public health concern from the stagnant water which collects on the side of the highway and residences, but there is also a safety concern from the dangerous road conditions resulting from the many potholes and debris that collect on the highway brought about by flooding and heavy traffic.”

“However, now with the improvement and engineering plans drafted and approved, and with your Department and the Administration committed to carrying out the major task of revamping that piece of highway, I am pleased that for the first time in a very long time, Tualauta residents along the Tafuna-Faga’ima road and those who travel it daily, will finally have one less problem to worry about.”

Vui also noted that DPW Director confirmed something the Governor had previously advised— that some of the village roads in Pava’ia’i, Faleniu, Tafuna-Kokoland, and Tafeta-Mapusaga Fou will soon receive major improvements. She reminded the DPW Director of the urgent consideration needed for the situation with the Kanana Fou road, specifically the section in front of the Ottoville Mormon church which traps water and forms a pool after each rainstorm; and the Tafuna/Faga’ima – Malaeimi Road which must be converted to a regular highway or side-street to alleviate traffic congestion.

“This morning you advised that the potholes were being addressed and that the Mormon Chapel and Happy Valley drainage problem were being dealt with, which I am extremely grateful for. “I know that Rome was not built in one day, but I am confident that with the Governor’s support and your competent leadership we can have these vexing conditions dealt with permanently, one step at a time.”

Sanitoa also wrote to the Director thanking her for the update on DPW's urgent plan to address pot holes not only in Tualauta but throughout the island.

Sanitoa said it’s pleasing to know that the Fagaima Road repair will commence very soon, when Mr. Stuart Pilat of McConnell Dowell returns next week. He also noted___ the drainage in front of the LDS Church, and the Hope House area on Ottoville road, and said he greatly appreciates that the maintenance crew will be out there working on clearing up these hazardous flooded areas.

“As a follow up to our conversation, kindly make sure to include on your list the two problematic areas along the Happy Valley road.  Furthermore, the drainage up by the Pavaiai Elementary needs cleaning. Given our vacuum truck is inoperable at the moment, perhaps we can request McConnell Dowell’s assistance with the use of their vacuum truck to clean all this drainage.”

He pointed out that the weather has been a hindering factor in efforts to consistently clean and drain many of these flood prone areas, still yet with the recent reports on the flu epidemic and other diseases, “It is my belief that moving forward and doubling up efforts to regularly maintain and clean up these problematic drainage is a much needed proactive approach to preventing and minimizing any serious health epidemic.”