Manu’a Rep Vesi Fautanu Junior would prefer that Manu’a residents with complaints take it up with him or the ASG representative in Manu’a instead of going to the media.
The first term lawmaker is disappointed with remarks by Ta’u resident Ale Filoialii complaining that Manu’a has not had any boat trip for more than a month since the MV Sili has been down with a broken rudder and shaft.
Ale told KHJ News he hasn’t heard of any plan for another boat to serve Manu’a while the MV Sili is down for repairs.
He said Ofu and Olosega have reported it doesn’t have any gas, and stores are out of basic food supplies.
He said the gas supply in Ta’u will also be out at the end of this week if there’s no fuel delivery.
Vesi said not once since he’s been elected as one of the two Manu’a representatives has Ale whom he regards as a brother, brought up any concerns to him.
He said he has not rested trying to find the latest from the Port Director and manager of the shipyard on when the MV Sili can be expected to be repaired.
The Manu'a faipule said Port Director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele assured him that Treasury would send a check of $20,000 to an off-island company for parts needed to repair the Sili.
He has also been working on getting ASG to charter the Fotu o Samoa from Apia to make a delivery for Manu’a.
Vesi has been told the cost of the boat is $42,000.
Port officials say this price is for more than one round trip by the Fotu from Apia to Manu’a.
Rep. Vesi said while ASG officials say that’s too much, he feels the government should pay because there’s no other alternative and Manu’a needs a boat trip.
The faipule says while Ale has a right to say what he wants to the media, the proper protocol would be to contact the ASG representative in Ta’u to report his concerns.
Vesi didn’t think Ale was accurate when he said school lunch supplies and store goods are running out.
A store owner in Ta’u, Meritiana, also phoned in also and said she and another store owner chartered a boat to deliver goods for their stores from Tutuila.
She said it’s true other stores have run out of basic supplies but hers has everything .
She assured she hasn’t jacked up the prices of her store goods even though she’s the only one that has the goods that other stores have run out of.
