The government has warned street vendors, who have set up shop outside the Accident Compensation Board (A.C.B) building on Beach Road, that they would have to move.
Although they are back with their tents, doing business as they have been for the past several years, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E), Suluimalo Amataga Penaia, said they will not be there for long.
As part of preparations for the upcoming Small Island Developing State’s (S.I.D.S.) conference in September, Suluimalo said they would eventually have to relocate.
“It’s all part of the beautification and the preparation for the S.I.D.S. conference,” said Suluimalo.
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“It is under the law that we look after these public areas so it’s our duty and responsibility to do so.”
The C.E.O said his Ministry was doing its job by issuing the permit letter to the vendors.
“Part of that permit is an obligation for these vendors to act for the good of Samoa,” he said.
In addition to tidying up Apia for S.I.D.S, Suluimalo said neighbouring business owners had expressed concerns about the vendors, saying not only are they blocking the way, they are using the facilities that belong to them.
“These are a lot of issues that arise with these types of set ups,” he said.
He said his Ministry is looking at areas to relocate the vendors to.
“They already have assigned areas that they are to go to but they just go where ever they please,” he said.
“We don’t want them to go all over the place and if you look at the tents, it looks very untidy and it’s a kind of setup that will reflect (badly on ) Samoa.
“That is why we are enforcing them to move away from these areas. Otherwise they can set up in front of the government building.”
However, he said the assigned areas require that street vendors will have to apply for a permit before setting up their stalls.
“It is the respect that if they still want to sell their things, they should have a permit to set up in these assigned areas otherwise the law will step in and no one is above the law.
“The intention is to beautify our town area so that we do not look like a ghetto as if these people don’t have any families.”
The C.E.O said the Ministry has the backing of Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, as a member of the Beautification Committee.
At the end of the day, Suluimalo hopes the vendors near the A.C.C. building will co-operate and support the Ministry on its preparations for the upcoming S.I.D.S. conference.
“I hope that they will come to their senses and help us by relocating to their assigned areas.”
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