There’s objections from a local resident who owns a motel in Samoa to plans by the Samoa Shipping Corporation to operate a Bed and Breakfast on the wharf at Mulifanua.
Owner of Transit Motel in Mulifanua, Pa’u Dr. Roy Ausage, deputy director of the Department of Youth and Women affairs has told the Samoa Observer the plan is “ludicrous.”
Pa’u took issue with a statement by the General Manager of Samoa Shipping Corporation Papalii Willie Nansen that the planned bed-and-breakfast is ‘not to compete with local businesses.
He said contrary to Papali’i’s comment the SSC will compete with local business unless the new facility provides free accommodation.
Pa’u maintains that as long as the Shipping Corporation charges customers, it will be competing with businesses in the area that are providing accommodations.
According to the CEO of the Samoa Shipping Corporation, the accommodation facility will add to services now on the Mulifanua wharf, such as a bank branch, automated teller machine, stores and new restrooms.
But Pa’u disagrees saying the role of government is to provide services that are not available from the private sector.
He pointed out that the government provides ocean transportation because private companies are not able to provide this service.
He said SSC was not set up to operate a bed and breakfast in Mulifanua for the public.
