12 Nov 2007

Samoa's Cabinet expected to approve switch to right hand vehicles this week

12:06 pm on 12 November 2007

Samoa's Prime Minister says he expects Cabinet to approve a switch from left hand to right hand drive vehicles this week.

The matter will then go to parliament.

There have been weeks of public criticism about the move.

The Chamber of Commerce has warned the government of the economic risks and danger to public safety once the change takes place.

But Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, has described the concern as an assumption raised mostly by car rental companies.

He says the companies are bringing in cars from overseas, farming them out in the rental business for several years, then selling them off again.

Tuila'epa has maintained his stance that most of the country has moved to Australia and New Zealand where right hand vehicles are being used.

He says they can help provide cars for their families back home to use to access their plantations.

This is much better way, he says, to further develop the land for economic purpose