By Niccola Hazelman-Siona

The Samoa Land Corporation (SLC) has added accommodation to its list of ventures with the construction of the Malifa Accommodation Complex.

The $1.8 million project is a 20-unit accommodation complex. According to chief executive of SLC, Afoa Arasi Tiotio, the project is catered towards overseas students and short-term consultants.

The idea for the complex, she said, came about when discussions on how the land will be used once the Samoa Rugby Union moved out.

“Accommodation was decided upon, based on potential return on SLC investment. It is much more lucrative than just leasing out the land.�?

“If the place is full, entirely booked-out, we expect it would generate around $300,000 a year. That is about ST$300 tala rent per unit a week.

It’s good money.�?

Diamond Head Design & Build Company was awarded the tender out of six companies who bid.

The 20 units will be fully furnished by SLC and will include kitchens and living quarters.

Afoa says that for now the Malifa Accommodation Complex is the only project of its kind for SLC for the time being but will look into similar projects in the future.

SLC, she revealed, will take over the Fugalei market when it is completed by the Accident Compensation Corp. There are also development plans in the pipeline for the SLC-owned Faleata Golf Course.

“But the Malifa complex is our main priority at the moment. We want to get our cashflows going from that project before we explore elsewhere.�?

Afoa says that half the profits SLC earns from the complex will go to Treasury.

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