A 55-year-old resident of Moata’a-uta has made a desperate plea to the government.
Tapunu’u Si’u’s request is about the road that connects their village to Magiagi.
“I was brought up on this land,” he said. “For over fifty years, we have been waiting we are still waiting.
“We have asked the government through our past Members of Parliament but nothing has been done.”
According to Tapunu’u, natural disasters has seen a number of Moata’a villagers relocate inland. He does not see an end to the trend.
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As the weather worsens, he believes that by the next five years, Moata’a-uta will be packed out.
“Which makes this piece of road extremely important,” the resident said.
“Most of our plantations are located in this area. As you can see, people park their cars where the tar ends and they walk all the way to their plantations. It’s very hard for us.
“Some of us are not getting any younger. That’s why we are again using this medium to beg the government to please do something. This road is the only way we can access our plantations for the development of our families and children.”
High Chief of Moata’a, Tamapau Iosefa, agrees with Tapunu’u.
“It’s been awhile since we asked for help and we are still waiting for a miracle,” he said.
“Many of our village members are now starting to move here because Moata’a-tai is not safe. The sea is encroaching on people’s properties and they see that they have to move.”
The Mayor said given the amount of time they have had to wait, it would probably take a miracle for their road to be fixed.
But it is a “miracle” they are praying for.
“I think this is our only hope, to voice our request on the newspaper so that the government can hear us. We need help please. “Our children need the construction of this road for their future.”
Asked for a comment, the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala, confirmed that Cabinet has approved the construction of the road in question.
“We haven’t received a letter from Ali’i and Faipule of Moata’a regarding the issue but their Member of Parliament Lenatai Victor Tamapua, has requested for this road to be fixed on behalf of the village so many times,” he said.
“So the construction for the road will be next month but I have of feeling that it will start next week.”
The Minister reminded that there are 49 M.P’s in the House and all of them have similar requests.
“So we are still working on it.”
According to a Cabinet release, the Moata’a/Magiagi–Connecting Rd, which is about 2km, will be carried by Lee Transport Ltd.
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