The Government launched a total of nine completed road developments on Upolu last week, totalling roughly $12 million tala.

The new infrastructure investment follows the $12 million-plus cash injection for the construction of the cross-road in Savaii. 

The Government confirmed in September that $12.2 million will be poured into the currently under-construction Vaia’ata Cross Island Road project in Savai’i.

The 20 kilometre inland route will cut through Fusi Safotulafai to Patamea and stretches a distance similar to that from Vaitele to Faleolo in Upolu. 

Another Government funded road development in Savai’i includes the Vaisala road which came at a total cost $600,000.

The newly improved roads have been planned by the Government for a significant period of time and are expected to benefit motorists, students and farmers in the villages.

Speaking at each road opening, the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi emphasised the importance of having good quality roads for transportation, especially for transport connected to the needs of hospitals, schools and even plantations.

“Out of 50 constituencies [...there are] many villages with roads, so we are trying to ration each constituency with a [road] project,” he said. 

The Prime Minister added that if a term in office for an M.P. came to an end and their constituency had missed out on infrastructure upgrades, the Lord will provide.

Rest assured, Tuilaepa said, what hasn’t been done this year will be done another year.

Despite the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Government's ongoing infrastructure improvement is continuing, the Prime Minister said. 

Last Wednesday, Cabinet opened a more than 3.4 kilometre road from Falelatai to Faleaseela built by Lucky Construction at a cost of $3.3 million. 

This was followed by a 1 kilometre road at Aana Alofi II, Apolima; it was constructed by the Webster Works Company at a cost of more than $845,000.

On Thursday, roads at Nono'a Saleimoa by Ah Construction and Leauva'a by Lucky Construction were opened which cost a combined $2.7 million. 

Their opening was followed by the opening of an inland road at Letogo by R & R Construction at a total cost of nearly $865,000.

On Friday, the new $2.5 million road at Sauniatu by Lucky Construction was opened, followed by the Faleapuna road built by King Construction at a cost of about $886,000. Another road at Samusu, constructed by King Construction came at a total of $730,000. 

“Better quality roads will benefit the daily lives of our people and it will raise the economic level for the land and sea," said Tuilaepa during the Apolima road commissioning ceremony.

“This is why the Human Rights Protection Party’s term in office is different from other previous parties because we do not look at a short distance of time but further into the future.

“This road will serve to be of good use for the students and also for villagers accessing their plantations and cattle farms.

“If one child is good in school, then [he or she] can contribute to the economy.”