The recent heavy rainstorms over the last few days led Tualauta faipule Vui Florence Saulo to appeal to the Director of Public Works, Faleosina Faiai Voigt directly, asking in a letter for immediate assistance in alleviating some of the problems the public is facing, given the urgency of the situation and how desperately Vui needs her help.

The faipule pointed out that the change in the weather brought more rain, which occurs at this time of year, meaning more storms and bad weather. 

Vui said for the past two years she has been pleading with the American Samoa Government regarding the need to deal with the issue of flooding and bad roads in the Tafuna (Fagaima) area.  She said earlier this week that with the downpour, the Tafuna (Fagaima) road became a collection of pot-holes, puddles, rocks and debris.

And to make things worse, it is currently a river-bed with rainwater running through it.

Vui told the DPW Director that with the current condition of the Tafuna (Fagaima) road, “ I am again seeking your assistance in making it a priority project for repair or renewal.”

She continued, “The stretch of road from the Island Image Building in Tafuna to the four-corners intersection next to the Ierusalema-Fou CCCAS Church needs your immediate attention.”

She asked Faleosina to visit that area so she can view for herself what the commuting public has to go through when they come through that length of highway.

“Given its poor state I am sure you will be convinced that immediate repairs and resurfacing is warranted. And given the fact that it is connected to the current project by McConnell Dowell for the Airport road, perhaps it would make a lot of sense to include it as part of the Airport road project for McConnell Dowell to undertake.”

She added that she believes it would be a “relatively minor addition to the Airport Road project, given the current costs.” She said “if the road is left in its current form and we do nothing, not only would we be neglecting our duties as public officials, but we would also be exposing the commuting public to unsafe conditions that may lead to a loss of property, or worse.” 

Samoa News should point out that Tualauta’s other faipule, Larry Sanitoa, has also been asking DPW for relief regarding flooding on the Fagaima Road for several years now.