Street vendors using the space next to the Accident Compensation Board (ACB) Building are back in business.
But they are not sure for how long.
Yesterday, their tents were re-erected after they were told to move.
“This is the second time we were told to move away,” said Luisa Tulaga, of Luatuanu’u.
“This time we are not going to sit back and do nothing anymore. We are just normal people trying to earn a living for our families and our communities.”
Ms. Tulaga was one of the street vendors who received a letter recently from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E), ordering them to leave.
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“First they said that it was because of preparations for the Small Islands Development States conference. Then they said that we are getting in the way of the people.
“We are not. We know our limits. There is a big space for people to walk on.” Ms. Tulaga said that during the time they were forced by police to move away, she had to find a job to support her family.
But it wasn’t enough.
“Now that we’re back, I just hope that it will be for a long time,” she said.
Ms. Tulaga said she and her fellow vendors are waiting for Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi to give them permission to sell their goods in the area.
She said they have been selling things there for years.
“I’ve been selling locally made lavalava here for eight years and it’s sad when we were forced to move away,” said Tavita Puipui.
And although they have returned, they are not sure how long.
“I just hope that the people with the authority as well as the Prime Minister will have the heart to let us sell our things here.
“We are not foreigners, we are Samoan people. Why is it different from Chinese people here selling their things everywhere they want to?”
Another concerned vendor agrees.
“The Prime Minister cares for all the Samoan people,” said Malavai Ainu’u.
“I know for a fact that there are other people behind this (move to remove us).”
Unhappy with the decision that was made to remove street vendors, Mr. Ainu’u said that they would still fight for their right.
“Yes a letter came with the Prime Minister’s signature on it telling us that we should move away but who knows if it was the Prime Minister or not,” he said.
Since they returned, Mr. Ainu’u said that no one has come back to them with anymore letters.
The concerned vendors are now urging the Prime Minister to give them permission and the freedom to sell their things in public areas.
“We do hope that the Prime Minister will help us with this issue because we’ve been pushed around for so long now.”
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