By Staff Writer
Samoa will be the future capital of bottled waters in the Pacific Island region if constituencies do go ahead with the promise to invest in the popular spring water industry for local and overseas exports.
Natural bottled waters with names like Sili, Falefa or Fagaloa Waters are just a few of the brands that will be heading for the markets is the promise is fulfilled.
The dream is within reach with the election promise by Government to gift a million tala to each of the 51 constituencies in Samoa.
The Minister of Women and Social Community, Leota Laki Sio, started the dream run by agreeing to inspire his electoral constituency to invest their money in bottling the Sili River in Savaii.
Leota opened the door for the others to follow when he hit on the idea of using the gifted money from Government to tap into this natural resource that flows abundantly in his constituency.
The Minister did not need much convincing after the emotional appeal by fellow Cabinet colleague, Minister of Agriculture, Laauli Polataivao Schmidt, about this easy money making natural resource going to waste.
“ Our rivers are pouring out money we can make from the sale of our fresh water into the sea every day and it is time we take advantage of that blessing for us,” MAF Minister Laauli pleaded with a deep, heartfelt appeal.
He made the appeal during the debate in Parliament of the national budget last week.
The Minister pointed to the success enjoyed by close island neighbours Fiji with their Fiji Water and Auqa Fiji water bottled brands.
The Ministry of Women Minister drank in every word his Cabinet colleague poured out and inspired even opposition members to follow his lead.
Falefa MP Alaiasa Sepulona Moananu boasted about the many rivers flowing from the mountains through his constituency .
Va’a-o-Fonoti MP Mau’u Siaosi Puepuemau also pointed excitedly at the many rivers running down the Fagaloa Bay from high grounds.
He said the quality of the water when mix with the ‘ava’ grown at Fagaloa makes the drink one of the best in Samoa.
Both MPs promise to name their bottled spring water brand after their constituency.
Former PM Tuilaepa joined the excitement as well by pointing to the rivers in his constituency.
“But I would like to suggest to the Minister that one of the best places he can tap into this lucrative resource is at Alaoa,” Tuilaepa suggested.
“But he will have to convince Government first to complete the water intake project at Alaoa we started so they can bottle as much as they want from there.”
Ironically the Alaoa intake is within the constituency of former Minister of Work, Tapunu’u Niko Lee Hang, who did not rush to comment on the possibilities of Alaoa Waters.
MAF Minister Laauli was beside himself at the overwhelming show of support that also helped to make him a hero as the architect largely seen responsible for $1m handout for every electoral constituency.
The only doubts lingering for the electoral constituencies and their $1m tala investment in spring water is whether the offer of free money is going to happen or was this just election promise.