Sili defends $20m Prison investment

By Joyetter Luamanu 25 January 2018, 12:00AM

The Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, has defended the Government’s decision to invest $20million to the Tanumalala Prison project. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Sili said it is a worthwhile investment, one that needs to be constructed now before the cost balloons in the near future.

“People don't really think of an investment with a prison facility as something that will contribute to the economic development and in my view it is,” he said.

“There is no way we can continue with the facilities at Tafaigata. 

“It’s deteriorating, and we wouldn’t want any of our people there, it’s inhumane and overcrowded.

“At the moment we’re not providing rehabilitation programmes for them. 

“So I think shifting the prison facilities to Tanugamalala and where it’s highly secured and a clean environment for them will help. 

“It’s best that we do it and complete the project and do it well rather than sort of try and cut down the cost and we end up with the facility that in five of 10 years, we look back and say that it could have been better.”

Contrary to criticisms of the investment, Sili said Samoa needs to spend money to ensure prisoners stop escaping and hurting innocent people. 

“It’s a good investment and I think we owe it to our people to do it. It’s something that I will work hard for to ensure the resources are available to get it done.” 

Sili said the Government is committed to raising the standard of Prison facilities in the country.

He assured the Government is capable of paying for the $20 million facility. 

“So I think to me if it’s $20million or $25million, it is a great investment,” Sili said. “Again $20 or $25 million is sufficient, however if we delay for another five years, it will cost more than $30million.”

However, he admitted it would take time for the Government to cover the cost of the project. 

“The cost will be spread over a couple of financial years and yes we can afford it and as the Prime Minister had stated earlier, we had a human rights group who visited the prison and their recommendation is to invest in a new facility.  

“The condition is inhumane, and for me personally, this is a project that will fix the problems of prisoners coming out unauthorized. We also have to treat the problem of overcrowding, also the welfare of our prisoners and not just locking them away, but we try to rehabilitate them.” 

In Parliament this week, the Minister of Prisons and Correction Services, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, explained the estimated costs for the new prison is $20million. He denied that there has already been variation costs.

“The fact of the matter is that there is no variation.”  

He said the estimated project is $10 million; however the winning bid was $7.4 million.  

“This is a big project; there is a need for water supply, road to the prison and electricity. Also a high security fence.  

“Currently the building project that is ongoing are just cell blocks, it does not include the admin block, the kitchen, the cafeteria, tower, hospital, search house,” explained Tialavea.  

“It also does not include the high security blocks and the total estimated project is $20million, but the lack of funds is the reason they are paying the funds in phases. 

“If the Government focuses just on the prison project, that means there would be no funds for other Government obligations such as road maintenance, water connections and that is why we are trying to stretch the budget.”

By Joyetter Luamanu 25 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>