New Year's eve fireworks all set

By Fuimaono Lumepa Hald 28 December 2021, 9:22PM

This Friday’s New Year’s eve fireworks are all set to go with pyrotechnic experts already on site working to ensure everything goes according to plan.

The Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) C.E.O. Fa’amatuainu Suifua told the media last Friday that the authority had brought in five pyrotechnic experts from New Zealand to install the fireworks.

He said the New Year celebrations will show Samoa’s thriving spirit despite the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country and globally.

Addressing the press conference as part of the fireworks coordinating committee,  Fa’amatuainu said Samoa would be the first nation in the world to welcome 2022 and this is a good enough reason to have a memorable event.

Asked by the Samoa Observer if the Government has plans to also put on a fireworks show in Savai’i, the C.E.O. said they initially planned for this year but they are now planning a showpiece for the big island next year.

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (F.E.S.A.), the Ministry of Police and the Ministry of Women and Social Development were also represented in the press conference last Friday as members of the coordinating committee. 

Speaking on behalf of the authority, F.E.S.A. Commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone Mauga said they are working to ensure the safety of the public in partnership with the relevant Government Ministries.

He said that their safety preparations are being done in consultation with the relevant villages represented through the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development.  The F.E.S.A and the Ministry of Police will also be at the various locations where the fireworks will be launched from according to Tanuvasa, who added that the fireworks will be launched from Palisi on New Year’s eve and the Taumeasina Island Resort the next evening.

And similar to the program in the previous years, the F.E.S.A. Commissioner said they learnt from the past years on how to improve safety measures for the public.

Acting Police Commissioner, Papali’I Monalisa Tiai-Keti said that the Ministry will be safeguarding residents and controlling traffic among other things and will be releasing public notices to indicate which roads will be used and those that will be closed off. 

Papali’i also advised the public and especially drivers to be mindful of their families and the children and to not drink and drive.

The Assistant C.E.O. with the Ministry of Women and Social Development, Latu Afioga, said the Ministry is also preparing households and families, especially for villages that are located within the vicinity of the fireworks. 

The elderly people within families are also part of the awareness outreach, as they need to ensure that they are not shocked by the noise, according to Latu.

He said people will be informed that there will be machines moved to the location of the fireworks and they will be advised of the time that the fireworks will start. 

Families with elderly members are advised to get them to use ear plugs or to relocate them to another location for the duration of the fireworks, but it is up to the individual families.

The New Year’s eve fireworks program will be part of entertainment in front of the Government Building in Apia’s central business district followed by the Prime Minister’s speech to welcome 2022.

By Fuimaono Lumepa Hald 28 December 2021, 9:22PM

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