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Pago Pago – American Samoa
The Senate has now passed a resolution “respectfully requesting the Honourable Governor Lemanu to construct and maintain a port at Manuafitiuta to help the people of Manua to have a very convenient means of transportation and economic development.”
The resolution was one of three bills introduced in the Senate on Monday when the chamber reconvened after a four-week hiatus.
The resolution was sponsored by Senators Utu Sila Poasa, Poumele Pete Galea’I, Malaepule Saite Moliga and Ma’o Fa’auma S. Gogo.
Malaepule announced that the Supreme Court had heard the reasons for the resolution, hence he floated the idea to send the resolution to the governor for his approval as soon as possible.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean clarified that the essence of the resolution is that whatever is good for Tutuila is also good for Manu’a and asked senators to show their support for the idea by raising their hands. All members of the House of Representatives expressed their support for the idea.
The resolution states that “the port at Manu’afitiuta is of great importance, not only to the people of Manu’a themselves, but also to government, science, and the United States Park Service.”
Additionally, the resolution includes language that “transport services to and from Tau are very limited. There is only one flight to Manu’a, but transport is disrupted many times when weather conditions are bad or boats are damaged.”
Furthermore, “people are very much reliant on ports for passenger and freight transport on a daily basis. Almost half of the Tau people live in Fiji and there is currently no reliable means of safe air or sea transport.”
“Maritime traffic is very challenging right now. Larger vessels, such as the Pago Pago, require sufficient depth to safely approach and anchor in the harbor.”
The resolution also included a clause that “in the event of an emergency, no communications with Fiji shall be made via sea routes. People must either wait for a plane to reach the other side of the island or cross the other side and take a boat to Tau Village.”
“The port at Fitiuta will be very helpful in evacuating people and property during natural disasters. Not long ago, a volcano called Wairu’ulu’u near the Manu’a Islands erupted under the sea, putting the lives of the Manu’a people in danger.”
The resolution also includes language that “injured people will need an easy means of escape if the volcano erupts again or any other natural disaster occurs.”
“And the construction of the Fitiuta port will be very helpful for the safety of the injured.”
The resolution also included “the benefits of the Fitiuta port, not only as a stopover and convenient travel for the people of Manu’a, but also as a place for them to visit the Manu Islands.”
- “Increase the economy: increase commercial activities such as fishing, trade and tourism, and improve the community economy.”
- “Agricultural exports: transportation and marketing of Fijian agricultural products – including yams, bananas and coconuts.”
- “Employment Opportunities: The port will provide employment opportunities for the people of Manu’a, including use of the port, maintenance of the port and tourism services, as well as supporting the development of small businesses to support the port.”
- “Evacuation Plan: In the event of an emergency, the port will be able to find alternative ways to evacuate personnel.”
- “Fitiuta’s harbour will attract visitors and provide an excellent venue for the recreation and activities necessary at sea. We can celebrate and share Samoa’s rich traditions, legends and island attractions with visitors. As with other developed Pacific islands, the harbour can also serve as a gathering place for cultural events, rituals and stories, developing the economy through the harbour.”
The resolution ends by stating that “the American Samoa Senate seeks to invest the American Samoa government in the construction of a port on the northeastern coast of Fitiuta in Manu’a Province. Part of Tao Island. Fitiuta’s location is suitable for a deep port that will be used to safely dock the MV Sili and MV Manu’atele.”
In addition, “many natural industries, including large rocks, make it a good place to build a port. The port will become a very important link, facilitating the movement of goods, supplies and passengers between the islands and connecting the ocean to To Island.”
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