Is it time to move to Timbuktu?

Written by Cherelle Jackson
Saturday, 09 August 2008
Ok so even though the Americans started it with the sub-prime and then the uncertainties in their market which only rattled the stability of the world economy, eventually leading it to us, but come on man, do we really have to pay SAT$3.53per litre of unleaded fuel? So let me get this, first you want us to sell our cars at less than half the price, then you wanted us to buy bread at a higher cost, and pay our electricity with an arm and a leg, and now you want to strip the clothes off my back for fuel? No doubt these sentiments are shared by many in our country in light of the recent increase in fuel prices and rise in electricity surcharges. The domino effect on the economy will mean that eventually the food prices will rise, yet again, and all the services we take for granted and depend on, will be charged at an extra cost. Whatever happened to World Banks theory of ‘isolation’ which implied that we being in the Pacific and in a sense far away from civilisation, will not be directly affected by the sombre state of economic affairs internationally. World Bank I guess, they were wrong, after all was it not the Vice President of the World Bank himself who said that ours was a thriving economy? Right. If the rise in prices say anything, it is that we are not cushioning the blow, but rather welcoming it with open arms, what with the consistent rise in the prices. At a time when Samoa is suffering as a result of the global economic crisis, as well as regional, any unnecessary expenditure will somehow end up coming from the tax payers pocket, or the Aid Donor in which, case, well, as long as it saves the citizen from footing the bill, is ok. This is a notice from EPC this week: “The Electric Power Corporation wishes to inform the public and all of its electricity users (Readable and Prepayment meter users), that an increase of 20.16% will be added to the current 25.76% fuel surcharge, resulting in a total fuel surcharge of 45.92%, to be applied to all electricity meters read from 15 August 2008, for electricity consumption in the prior months.” Wait a minute, if ADB, Japan and Australia just gave Samoa SAT$88million for the Power Sector, remind me, why exactly then have the prices gone up. Ok so maybe in a year or two they may come up with a cheaper way of obtaining fuel as a result of the generous funding, but for now we all have to cough up the extra 45.92% for the electricity costs. Then again, maybe after the Pacific Island Forum meets this month in Niue, we may be able to see some form of subsidy in the region, hopefully someone, anybody in the forum will instigate action on the Pacific Plan section teaming up to share the cost of fuel in the region. The downside of the rising costs in food, fuel and electricity is that the minimum wages in Samoa still remain. Stretched Budget If say, someone ears about $250.00 a week, already with set expenses a week, which they have managed somehow for the last five or so years, the increase will no doubt affect them in a very big way. Say the family spent SAT$50.00 on their power bill in a month, add another $40.00tala into that and it would pretty much eat up half of one weeks pay check. Now what if an extra 30sene is added to every food item that is bought by one family in a month, surely that will amount to a lot. So what exactly is our Government doing about the consistent increase in the cost of living? Are the basic goods being subsidised? It seems not much at this point. People cannot be expected to afford all these changes at the same average wages of a mere $9000.00 tala a year. A little subsidy, a little percentage, a little benefit for the average worker, may make a world of difference. Cheers Comments (2) Subscribe to this comment's feed Times Change, Change or Be Left Behind written by Justin, August 11, 2008 I'm not meaning to belittle your message - But I think you need to be more creative and look for solutions than looking at the problems. Maybe Samoa can have those Baskets that Taxi people around like they do in Hong Kong or something. Maybe they can invest in Solar Power. Iceland is already implementing a plan to make all their cars electric in 10 years. Brazil no longer uses gasoline - it only uses natural gas and other sources. Samoa is a small enough place - that a few good people with good ideas - can really get together and make something happen! It's a time for creativity and ingenuity - the same creativity that enabled the original islanders to travel the seas with only a star guide made out of twine! ... written by nina, August 12, 2008 nothing new about this article. It's the same complaining tone blah blah blah..and if you knew what life is like in Timbuktu you wouldn't want to literally move there. Samoa is far better and has so much going for it. I know your title is tongue in cheek but take it from someone who has been in Timbuktu, the Mali region, Burkina Faso...it's a life of destitute and utter poverty. Toe taumafai atili mai uso. Write comment Name Email Title Comment

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