Lalomanu Village Decree Bans Sale of Tsunami Goods

By Tupuola Terry Tavita in Apia

The village of Lalomanu has issued a decree to its residents punishing anybody found selling tsunami relief goods. “These goods were given to us out of people’s kindness and generosity,” said their Member of Parliament Taua Kitiona Seuala.

“They are precious to us and we owe it to these good Samaritans to make full use of it. It’s the least we can do.”

Therefore, Taua said, anybody from Lalomanu found to be selling tsunami goods, in the act of selling tsunami goods or receiving or in the act of receiving tsunami goods will be severely punished by the council.

“Anybody trying to sell goods at a shop will be banished, any shop that receives tsunami goods will immediately cease operation,” said Taua.

“Any bus found to be carrying tsunami goods destined for somewhere else and the culprit, the bus driver and the bus company will be punished. The village council has unanimously agreed to those rules.”

Other villages such as Saleaumua and Saleapaga is understood to have also put down similar rules.

Taua said that aid distribution in his village is going smoothly.

“We just opened this morning a container of goods from New Zealand . Every family was called to come down and take their portion. And every family did. Go up to any family up there to find out for yourselves. Other media should come here and find out the truth for themselves instead of printing rubbish stories circulating in town.”

This publication visited several families relocated deep in the bush at Lalomanu and all of them had adequate supplies in storage. They were more than happy to show us around.

Source: Government of Samoa.