Delay hits Market again

Farmers braving the hot sun and torrential downpours at Fugalei will have to endure the conditions a little more.

After years of waiting – followed by the promise that the Fugalei Market would open in March 2014 - Site Manager, Lei’ataua Tom Tinai, confirmed yesterday that the market might not open until June.

“We are looking at June,” for the market to be completed, said Le'iataua, from Tinai, Gordon and Associates. Le’iataua said their client, the Accident Compensation Corporation (A.C.C.), has decided to keep Qing Dao and it seems likely they will “extend the time of contract”. He said this decision was made by the A.C.C. board. “The target is 30 May but it can be June,” he said.

“The important thing is that it is completed before the Independence celebrations.”

According to Lei’ataua, one of the reasons why the project is behind schedule are the high number of “rainy days”.

Another reason blamed include problems with the supply of materials from overseas.

Meanwhile, the Weekend Observer was told that while Qing Dao Construction is still be the “main” contractor for the Fugalei project, it is local sub-contractors who are doing most of the main work. Qing Dao Construction is doing most of the “side” work, Lei’ataua said.

The main market building is being done by the “approved sub-contractors who are local”.

He did not give the name of the subcontractors. But he confirmed that the sub-contractors are responsible for the steel structure and roofing and retaining walls.

His comments follow weeks of denial from government that four local contractors had been brought into to replace Qing Dao. Instead of replacement, it seems the subcontractors are working alongside Qing Dao.

Instead of replacement, it seems the sub-contractors are working alongside Qing Dao. Meanwhile, outside the fenced off area, farmers continue to express disbelief at the continued delays.

Alesi Seumanutafa, of Falefa, was looking forward to promises coming true that the market was expected to open last month.

But she was disappointed when come this month, there was still no proof of something solid happening to the structure currently under construction behind the steel fence. In fact, there is still no roof, either.

“I am starting to wonder if there is now a different company responsible for the construction of that market.”

She believes that if the market was still being constructed by the Chinese it would be completed by now.

“If it was completed we would be resting right now under some decent shelter – protected from the sun and rain.”

Instead it shall be another month and a few weeks at least. Ms. Seumanutafa has no plans to get a stall in other markets round town while the main market is being constructed.

“If this goes on right up to the end of this year I will stay where I am to sell my produce.”

She says that Fugalei is the best area to find buyers for her produces. Her loyalty to the Fugalei market is another reason behind her plans to “wait out the construction even if it doesn’t come up this year”.

Another farmer, Sone Ropati from Vailima, agrees with Ms. Seumanutafa. Even if it means selling in the rain and sun.

Asked whether he has considered renting a stall in one of sub-markets round town he said “no”. Again he claims its loyalty.

“The Fugalei market was built many years ago especially for the purpose of accommodating farmers like ourselves.

“This was providing a place for us to sell our produces and this is why I plan to wait for when the market is finally completed.”

But “yes, I don’t plan on getting a stall anywhere else despite the problem of doing business in the rain and sun”.

“It is where we farmers are use to selling our produces and it is important that I wait for it to come up and then find a spot in there for a stall.”

Faapia Logo of Fausaga is, however, thinking of moving, but not yet. She makes a daily trip to Apia so she can sell her produce.

Getting up before 4am every morning and then coming all the way into town gets increasingly difficult when forced to sit out in the rain and sun for hours. Ms. Logo is contemplating finding another spot in one of the other markets to wait for the market to be completed.

She said there have been too many promises about when the market will be open.

“It’s April now and I don’t understand why it’s taking too long.”

She has no immediate plans to move. If by the end of the year the market hasn’t been finished, “I will be forced to try out Chan Mow’s market so that I can get some shelter from the rain and sun while trying to sell my produce.”