Politician questions Samoan vehicle switch

A former MP has questioned why the Samoan Government decided to switch to right-hand-drive vehicles during recessionary times.

Vui Mark Gosche said many families in the islands would struggle to buy new vehicles.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa, Leasi Papali'i Tommy Scanlan, said whole villages were likely to be affected as a result of the switch.

"Expectations are that [people] will be affected, but we don't know how much it's going to cost [everyone] ... we'll have to wait and see."

Mr Scanlan acknowledged the switch - announced by Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi in 2007 - had been a controversial issue, with many people in the islands opposed to it, given the associated costs.

Up to 3000 cars have so far been imported into the island nation, Mr Scanlan said, a figure expected to rise rapidly as the initiation date - September 7 - looms.

Mr Scanlan said it was up to individuals to decide whether or not they wanted to import vehicles or save their money.