Residents on the big island of Savai'i no longer have to travel to Upolu for development consent applications as well as applying for and getting building permits. 

This follows the opening of the Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.) office on the top floor of the Salelologa market last week. 

The responsible Cabinet Minister as well as the heads of the different Government agencies under the M.W.T.I. umbrella traveled to Savai'i last week to witness the opening of the new M.W.T.I. office. 

Reverend Falefia Tupu of the Methodist church at Fogasavai'i in Salega, Savai'i led the opening ceremony with a brief sermon while the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Va'ai delivered the keynote address. 

According to the Minister, the contract for the new M.W.T.I. office in Salelologa was awarded to Fonoia Siaosi Fonia at the cost of SAT$22,249.90, (VAGST inclusive). 

The M.W.T.I. initially had an old office in Savai'i within the same compound in Salelologa as the Land and Transport Authority (L.T.A.) office. 

However, Olo said that the compound was not able to fit both the M.W.T.I. and L.T.A. offices hence the decision to move the office to the second floor of Salelologa market. 

He then used the opportunity to announce that the new office at the Salelologa market will offer different types of services pertaining to the Ministry, which the residents of Savai'i can now utilise instead of having to travel to Apia. 

This include getting development consent from the Planning and Urban Management Authority (P.U.M.A.) and building permits for any kind of development or proposals for new houses. 

In saying that, Olo said that the Government is serious about developments on the big island to prevent people from traveling to Apia for various reasons due to the service not available in Savai'i. 

He further added that there will be permanent staff staying in Savai'i so they don't have to bring people from the main offices in Apia to work at the Savai'i branch. 

The objective according to the Minister is to have qualified people in Savai'i – to work and serve the people of Savai'i through the new office – instead of bringing in people from Apia. 

"This will enable us to open our office from Monday to Friday and from 9 am to 5 pm, serving our people here in Savai'i," said Olo. 

"The aim is to provide these services to our people residing in Savai'i to stop them from spending money and time having to travel to Apia for different purposes especially to have access to the services that have not been made available on island."

Olo thanked the Minister and Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Land Corporation for accepting their proposal to set up an office for the M.W.T.I. at the Salelologa market.