Far west residents want action on dangerous landslide area at Asili

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Westside residents are calling on the government for a permanent fix at Asili where a landslide occurred last month. Fatu Malala Al-Shehri a resident of Alataua told Samoa News, there should be an expedited permanent solution where the landslide occurred.

“It’s going on three weeks [and] there are still minor slides occurring in this area. Why hasn’t the government taken quick action to remedy this situation?

“We are talking about the lives of the people of Alataua.

“Everyday we drive by the area in question, we have to speed up our cars because we fear that another slide may happen.

“I feel as if this is Russian Roulette being enacted in that part of the island,” said Fatu.

Samoa News has reached out to the Director of Public Works Faleosina Voigt for comments but she’s on leave.

Other residents of Alataua District told Samoa News the landslide occurred the second week of December.

Moli Ale told Samoa News as of Thursday morning during the heavy pour of rain, they saw rocks sliding down at this area.

“It’s quite dangerous, especially as we are at the hurricane season — up until April, which means it will continue to rain.

“What is the government waiting for— someone to die from this area?”

The woman said her children take this road on a daily basis for work, and she’s worried all the time that they are away from the house because of a possible landslide.

The government acted immediately after the landslide to clear the road but a permanent solution should be their next move, she said.

According to Fatu of Alataua, close to 200 vehicles use that road on a the daily basis.