By Tupuola Terry Tavita
Editor

The Samoa Land Corp’s move into accommodation is a move in the right direction (see front page).

In fact, other government SOEs with money to spare should seriously consider investing in these middle-income budget accommodation.

At this stage in our development, there is no shortage of tenants.

Young couples are moving out of the villages and moving into town, seeking employment. Young professional people are moving out of the family home and striking out on their own. The opening of the Australian-Pacific Technical College (APTC) and the RHEMA bible college some years ago has resulted in an immediate influx of foreign students and an upshot in career students in the country.

Many now live in these one or two-bedroom apartments springing up around town.

There is also an increasing number of young foreign graduates coming to Samoa – on short term contracts – seeking a different experience. Just this weekend, this column met up with three mid-twentysh Fijian-Rotuman girls – recent law graduates – who are serving three-year contracts as paralegals at different law firms in Apia. All three are staying together in a two-bedroom unit at Vaivase Tai and are really enjoying their time in Samoa.

There is also an increasing number of Fijian workers, especially, in the tourism industry. As maids, waitresses and management staff. They have the necessary experience and certainly lift the standards of our hotel industry. Our Samoan staff can learn from them.

It puts to bed the need to push for regional labour mobility at the Forum level. It is already happening at the ground level. When there’s specific demand, there is a natural roll-over of supply.

Criticism that government should not compete with the private sector in the accommodation industry is, well, pointless and far fetching. More players in the market means more competition. Quality and standards go up and rent comes down. Landlord gets paid and the tenant get their money’s worth. Everybody wins.

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