Time To Show Your Hand Mr. PM

Written by Pio Sioa
Monday, 05 November 2007
The business community’s submission to Government against the controversial right hand drive policy is comprehensive. The painful reality it sets out in financial, social, economical and environmental details, project quite strongly the lunacy of this proposed road switch policy. The various analyses of unnecessary hardships the whole country will have to shoulder, establishes an overwhelming argument against such a policy becoming law. The underlying proposition that RHD will afford people in the villages with cars, bought and send to Samoa from families in New Zealand and Australia is shattered. No, it is not cheaper! Yes, it will place unnecessary adversity on the local economy and in the pockets of our people struggling to cope with life in a foreign land. The final costs and the subsequent burden on everyone and everything in Samoa and overseas, knocks back the economic progress we have made so far by the millions. What we have going right now suits our personal budgets fine. “It ain’t broke, so don’t fix it”! In fact the analyses and the supporting arguments rejecting RHD, only serves to confirm the glaring realities initially declared by snap public opinions, when the proposal first came out. With the submission officially confirming what the deluge of opposing views have already figured out, the mystery deepens over why the Government would want the country to make the switch. Surely the PM and his Government would have anticipated a public outrage to such a move, and the costs it would incur. What then is really behind such an unpopular proposal if PM Tuilaepa should decide to persist with this madness? No one has offered any plausible opinion yet. All we have so far are ejaculations of impotent nonsense, probably from too much Viagra. We have just come out of investing $100 million to host the 13th South Pacific Games, that only brought in returns worth $5 million, a mere fraction of what we put in. To be hit again by a policy that requires the country to fork out hundreds more millions, is suicidal in so many ways. If PM Tuilaepa thinks the trauma of this policy will blow over by the time the next election comes along, he and his HRPP party are taking a huge gamble that could see them tumble. Making hard decisions is an established trademark for the ruling party, since the time of the late PM Tofilau Eti Alesana. In the past the HRPP have always stated their position and stood firm and steadfast behind it. The critics raved and ranted but did not sway the resolve of Government or the late PM Tofilau. What is brewing now over this RHD nonsense will surely test the Government’s mettle as before. However, there is only one notable difference between then and now. Tofilau went to lengths to argue his position until it starts to make sense and even sway public opinion to what was at stake. PM Tuilaepa in this instance has remained largely reserved, except to say it will benefit the ‘poor’. His argument as we have now learned is comprehensively flattened, under the weight of evidence presented in the submission. But we all know he can be a wily fox if he wants to. He is also a poker player of some note. Respect and trust for his already proven leadership is the only element of doubt that now stands against full out public condemnation that could run him and his HRPP party out of office. If the Prime Minister has anything up his poker shirt sleeve, it is time he lays it on the table. He should stop foxing around. The evidence has become so heavily stacked against the RHD policy, it is unfair to keep the country hanging by prolonging the agony of anxious expectations. PM Tuilaepa should come out now and explain the merits of this proposed policy if any. If he has a counter analysis, out with it now. If he intends to reveal everything in the next Parliament session, say that he will. To remain silent and make it appear as if Government will continue to push ahead with RHD is ridiculous at the very least. If the delay is because Government wanted to wait for the submission by the private and business sector to come out, say so. The excuse is valid enough to be believed. If the delay has to do with the Ministry of Finance and other Government Ministries pouring over the submission, say so. Again, it is perfectly acceptable. If this is one of your poker moves Mr. Prime Minister, say so. We are grown up enough to understand poker, so go ahead. If you are foxing us around, foxes have the perfect escape plan to fool the hunting pack. The animal simply backs up on its tracks and disappears to safety. So if you are playing fox, back up on your tracks and everything will blow over before Christmas. Whatever you decide Mr. Prime Minister, the ball is now in your side of the court. Comments (1) Subscribe to this comment's feed RHD written by Mauala, November 06, 2007 Well said Pio. I hope the government will not be swayed by political motives in deciding this issue but rather on approprately researched techinal and economic information. Good luck Samoa. Write comment Name Email Title Comment

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