11 Mar 2008

Samoa parliamentary committee rejects petition opposed to drive switch

3:41 pm on 11 March 2008

A special parliamentary committee in Samoa has rejected two petitions opposing the government's proposal to have vehicles drive on the left hand side of the road.

The committee has presented a report to parliament detailing why they have dismissed the concerns of People Against Switching Sides, or PASS, and the Professional Engineers Association.

But the chairman of the committee says they have been assured by the ministries responsible for the change that any economic, safety, and environmental concerns will be addressed.

Meanwhile opposition MPs have rejected the findings.

One of them, Motuopua'a Aisoli Va'ai, wants another report because he says the findings by the parliamentary committee are wrong on the consequences of the change.