Rev. Nuuausala Siaosi Siutaia of the Apia Protestant Church
Hon. Ministers of Cabinet
Hon. Speaker of the House
Associate Ministers
Hon. Leader of the Opposition
Members of Parliament
Your Excellency New Zealand High Commissioner
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Heads of Government Ministries and Corporations
Business Community
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today marks another milestone in the development of the Apia Waterfront Project. We are gathered here to officially witness the ground breaking ceremony to officially start the construction of the new Savalalo Flea market redevelopment project. This is another major Government project to enhance the development of the Apia Central Business Township.
The goal of this project is for the Government of Samoa to successfully rebuild the Savalalo Market in the original waterfront location. I am happy to say this is the original place where the former market was built.
The outcome to be achieved for this project as discussed by both Partners (Samoa & NZ) includes:
• Sustainable recovery and growth of the local construction industry, private sector and local vendors.
• Improving gender inclusive job creation in the small businesses that will have the opportunity to be vendors in the market and
• Contributing early to positive impressions of tourists to Samoa to aid the strength and speed of the recovery of the tourism sector.
Furthermore, this project will cater for our small business entrepreneurs such as flea market operators, handicrafts, small restaurants and mini offices for our local people.
This project was initially planned to build the new flea market at Sogi by the previous Government but when we came on board we decided the best place is Savalalo, its original place. Why? This place is central and very ideal to our people whenever they come to Apia. Its easily accessible and cheap when compared to going to Sogi. It is a place the previous market was built more than 4 decades ago and it’s an iconic site where our people congregate and meet, producers and sellers of goods ranging from agricultural to handicrafts to fish and shellfish to small food stalls like pani keke and aisakulimi and much more.
I would like to acknowledge with much appreciation the major contribution of the Government of New Zealand through a Grant Funding Arrangement of $12.0 million NZ dollars signed in April 2023 between Hon. Nanaia Mahuta, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and our Former Minister of Finance, Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale Mulipola. In addition, the Government of Samoa through the Samoa Land Corporation contributes $10.0 million tala towards this project.
The detailed design and construction of the new Savalalo Flea Market project is expected to take 18 months and will be completed in August/September 2025. The Cabinet following the completion of the Government procurement process approved the Tenders Board recommendation to award the design and build phases to Zheng Company Limited, a local company with the winning bid price of around $24.9 million tala.
The project manager for this project is Tinai Gordon and Associates Company Limited representing today by Afioga Leiataua Tom Tinai and Anne Milbank.
We pray to the Almighty for his guidance and protection over this Project. To protect all the people involved to ensure the fruitful success of this Project so that this project will become a wonderful and delightful reality come August/ September 2025.
God Bless our Land, our People, our Partners and our Future.
Soifua.
Written by : Faaifo Faaifo
