By Nanai Laveitiga Tuiletufuga

Government on Wednesday signed a design-and-build agreement with the Shanghai Construction Company from China to build the new Faleolo Airport project.

Inked-in by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and company president….., the project will include a two-storey terminal building as well as upgrading the runway.

“We are negotiating with Shanghai Construction to start construction of the airport project, once they have completed the second phase of the National Hospital at Motootu’a,” the Prime Minister said at a press conference.

“The proposal will see a brand new two storey terminal building.

“There will be aero-bridges for departing and arriving passengers linked directly to the terminal.

“The runway will also be upgraded to cater for bigger planes and busier traffic.

“The tentative cost of the project is in the neighborhood of $40 million tala which will be funded by the Government of China.”

The Prime Minister said the airport development is part of government’s broad vision  “to transform Samoa into the next air and port hub of the Pacific Islands region.”

“We have given the Chinese Government our three main priority projects for funding.

“They are the Airport facelift, the planned Vaiusu harbour and the 15-storey government complex in downtown Apia.

“The new wharf at Vaiusu complements our investment in the Pacific Forum Line-Neptune merger.

“With 15 Pacific islands covered by the merger, Apia will be the main shipping links to New Zealand, Australia, Asia and even to North and South America.

“Government is also pursuing agreements with a number of international airlines for more flights and bigger aircrafts to fly to Faleolo.

“The target is to increase tourist numbers as well as increase air trade.”

If all goes well, the Prime Minister is optimistic that the three project should be well underway by the end of this Parliamentary term in early 2016.

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