Thursday, August 24, 2006

Apia's drinking problem worsens

Three weeks ago, on advice from the Liquor Board, police issued closure notices to six popular nightclubs in Apia. Complaints from Apia village matai about underage drinking, fights, damage to property and the clubs operating beyond the midnight curfew were given as the justifications for the decision. As best I can ascertain, these were general complaints; there was not a single specific incident to which the Liquor Board referred in making their decision.

On Tuesday this week the Liquor Board ended two weeks of deliberations and decided to extend the closure period for a further three months. The decision, according to chairman Tuu'u Anasi'i Leota, would allow the board "to look at the social impact of our decision." They don't need three months to see the social impact; it's started already.

The first "social impact" of the board's decision is the immediate unemployment of almost 100 workers. Of the six nightclubs, only Lighthouse has been able to retain all of their staff because of the catering business they also operate.

With ongoing expenses such as rent, electricity, water and National Provident Fund contributions to staff, and unable to generate income, it's looking increasingly likely that a number of the clubs will simply shut down. Perhaps the next social impact the board can expect to see will be a strip of rundown, vacant buildings right in the heart of Apia.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

If a dog is a mans best friend, isnt beer the second closest thing?! Seems to be one loss after another this week. Sorry to hear about the closures and that you wont get a chance to have a final night (not too cheeky of course) on the town in Apia.

Anonymous said...

wow..that kind of sucks to know that all the clubs are closing down...but i do know one thing for sure is that MY CLUB didn;t that's rite Im talking about the light house!! LOL..It's not funny but it's just sad to know that ua ova ova kele le fia igu tele o tamaiti laiti. What happen to manners that your parents taught you. Lighten up it's not nice to have visitors from out of state come over to the islands and have no where to party and kick it...not only that were is your respect for our beautiful island of samoa!!!!

Anonymous said...

wow..that kind of sucks to know that all the clubs are closing down...but i do know one thing for sure is that MY CLUB didn;t that's rite Im talking about the light house!! LOL..It's not funny but it's just sad to know that ua ova ova kele le fia igu tele o tamaiti laiti. What happen to manners that your parents taught you. Lighten up it's not nice to have visitors from out of state come over to the islands and have no where to party and kick it...not only that were is your respect for our beautiful island of samoa!!!!

Shanathalas said...

Its funny how governments just don't think through some of these bans beforehand. With the recent panic over liquid explosives on planes, airport security has banned carrying on liquids. Which has meant the closure of several duty free shops in Vancouver and 70 people now out of work.