Japan hands Samoa ‘lifeline’

16 October 2016, 12:00AM

The government of Japan has again extended its great assistance for funding purposes to the government of Samoa.

It did this on Friday when the Apia Port officially broke ground to start the work on the enhancement of safety of Apia Port.

The main purpose is to maintain the safety of port users by the improvement of the safety for ships to/from Apia Port by the rehabilitation and improvement of wharf, yard, ancillary facilities and others in Apia Port.

An Exchange of Note promising a grant up $82million for the purchase of products and/or services necessary for the implementation of this development which was signed in June 2015, between the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and Ambassador of Japan to Samoa, Tuimaugaolaii Kazumasa Shibuta.

J.I.C.A dispatched a survey team to Samoa from June 29, 2014, to August 20, 2014 who conducted a series of site inspections including topographic surveys, soil investigations and an environmental survey which sees the much needed improvement of Apia Port from deteriorated conditions due to Cyclone Evans aftermath in 2012.

Managed by the Samoa Ports Authority, approximately 97 per cent of the foreign trade cargoes of the country are handled in this port, and is the most important social and economic infrastructure in the country.

“We can call the port as a “Life Line” to sustain activity of Samoan people, especially agricultural crops, fish food, fuel etc, and of course, passengers of cruise ship has a high priority for an engine of tourism,” said Tuimaugaoali’i.

Japan has again aligned its funding based on the SDS 2012-2016, Strategic Area- Efficient Safe and Sustainable Transport System and Networks- “Upgrade and maintain ports and airport terminal facilities and other related services and improve safety and security systems for all ports and airports.”

The project has three main components which initially the extension of the wharf up to more than 300m for safety landing of long cruise ship, the second, rehabilitation and expansion capacity of deteriorated container yard creating more than twice capacity and the third, improvement of tugboats and navigation system.

Japan has worked hand in hand with the Government of Samoa since 1977, to further develop and enhance such socio-economic projects across Samoa.

16 October 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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