Construction of three hydro power plants

Cabinet has awarded the contract to Pernix Group/MAP JV company for the construction of three new hydro power plants at Faleaseela, Fausaga-Tafitoala and Faleata.

The tender for the projects was advertised for public interest and seven companies submitted applications of bids.

An assessment of the tenders was conducted by the Sub Committee according to the tender requirement before a recommendation was submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Sweet Potato Weevil Workshop

Cabinet has approved the participation by Samoa at the Sweet Potato Weevil Workshop in Lae, Papua New Guinea on 18 – 22 April 2016.

The workshop is an opportunity for key technical experts to learn more about weevils so they are able to organise similar surveys in their own home countries.

Samoa’s participation is an invitation by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community for Pacific countries, especially countries included in the Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Crop Management Project. 

Sweet potato is not only a good crop, in terms of healthy eating, it is valued by Samoa in terms of food security as it can be grown/farmed at any time and can survive natural hazards like cyclones.  

The workshop will enable Samoa to meet with international partners and organisations to secure funding for this project.

Samoa’s National IPM/ICM Project Coordinator, Susuga Aleni Uelese is attending the workshop.

World Bank’s Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management Global Practice

Cabinet has approved the participation by Samoa’s representative at the World Bank’s Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management Global Practice in America from 28 March – 28 June 2016. This is a special assignment appointment under the World Bank Group and the Ministry of Finance under the auspices of the Bank’s Global Secondment Programme.

The programme is conducted every year and provides ample opportunity for participants and World Bank employees to share knowledge and experiences.

The Ministry of Finance Principal Debt Management Officer, Peresitene Kirifi is representing Samoa at the programme.

Human Rights Protection Party Manifesto 2016 – 2021

Cabinet has reviewed the Human Rights Protection Party manifesto 2016 – 2021.

The manifesto announces the development agenda the HRPP will implement over the next five years.

The HRPP has consistently won the right to lead Government for 34 years, since 1982, and has again won the recent general election in March. 

The overriding goal of this manifesto is to further advance the social and economic wellbeing of the Samoan people and create employment opportunities for our young people.

Successful implementation of the development agenda outlined in this manifesto will lead directly to achieving a higher and sustainable quality of life for our people.

Some challenges encountered by Samoa in the last five years included the global financial crisis and the slowdown in the Chinese economy in 2012 adversely affected the ability to secure markets for our exports which directly impacted on the Yazaki Samoa. Cyclone Evan that struck the country in the same year, and caused significant damage and incurred substantial losses to key economic infrastructure such as roads and bridges, agriculture, tourist facilities and personal properties, was another challenge.

A number of positive outcomes were also achieved such as:

· Samoa’s graduation to Middle Income Country status;

· Hosting of the Third UN SIDS Conference;

· Hosting of the 2015 Samoa Commonwealth Youth Games;

· All Blacks – Manu Samoa Game;

· RSE Scheme extended to Australia;

· Acquisition of PFL;

· Climate Change agreement;

At the sector level, there were also significant achievements which include macroeconomic performance, education, health, agriculture, community development, senior citizen pension scheme, justice and infrastructure services such as water and sanitation, energy, transport and communication.

HRPP development priorities for 2016 – 2021 include employment creation, education, health, agriculture, tourism, youth development, community development, climate change, justice and infrastructure services.

Fisheries study tour for Pacific Ministers

Cabinet has approved the attendance by Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Afioga Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Schmidt at the Fisheries Study Tour by the New Zealand Government for the Pacific’s Ministers for Agriculture and Fishery on 9 – 21 April 2016.

The study tour will provide participants with the opportunity to view New Zealand’s seafood sector and fisheries management system. This system is hoping to provide a number of useful lessons for the Pacific.