By Lise Schmidt/
Apia, Samoa – 01 October 2024 – Twenty days to the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai, has asked the GHOGM Task Force Committee to rethink their earlier decision to lockdown the main Apia Beach Road.
The Task Force has named the road to be closed, the CHOGM Peninsula Road which runs from the Taumeasina Resort at Moata’a to the east and through the Apia Beach Road to the Mulinu’u peninsula where several meeting venues such as Parliament Building, the Court House and the Media Centre are located.
At a media briefing two weeks ago, the Police Commissioner, Auaapaau Logoitino Filipo, emphasized the lockdown was necessary to ensure the safety of delegates.
“The safety of our guests is our top priority. By ensuring a secure environment from Taumeasina to Mulinu’u, we can guarantee that the CHOGM proceeds smoothly,” stated the Commissioner.
The move has already drawn opposition views based on the impact on normal traffic and the movement of the public carrying out their normal business during the week of the meeting.
In an exclusive statement to Talamua today, Minister Olo Fiti Vaai expressed serious concern recent comments highlight a growing concern about the economic implications of such measure and the urgent need for a balanced approach.
“I have advised the Committee to reconsider their decision because many businesses will be affected if the roads are closed completely,” said the Minister.
His remarks reflect a broader concern among local entrepreneurs who are worried that blocking the road completely would adversely impact their operations and revenue during a crucial time when visibility and engagement from foreign visitors should be at their peak.
The Minister believes the Committee must weigh the importance of safeguarding international delegates against the potential fallout for local businesses that thrive on accessibility.
The GHOGM Task Force Committee met today and was to make a decision on the Ministers advice.
