PM Tuilaepa with Ambassador Mr. Genichi Terasawa unveil the Vaisigano bridge plaque

By Martha Taumata Faavae

Questions are bound to be asked of Samoa starting up a sea freight service with the delivery of a new ship Japan is to build under grant to sail the international trade routes.

Japan’s ambassador to Samoa, HE. Mr. Genichi Terasawa, highlighted the next major assistance by his country at the official opening of the Vaisigano Bridge on Friday night.

“In October last year, Honorable Prime Minister Tuilaepa and Prime Minister ABE agreed to the new grant project to construct a new ship to connect between Samoa and overseas.

“The new ship is expected to go into service two years from now,” Ambassador Terasawa disclosed.

The new ship will add to the several other major maritime projects Japan has funded for Samoa under grant.

The Vaisigano Bridge is the most recent after the upgrading of the Matautu-tai wharf at the Apia Harbour.

Ambassador Terasawa stressed Japan’s belief in better transportation for a region separated by ocean as the key to the future of the island countries.

“Japan has been cooperating for development of maritime transportation and related infrastructure to strengthen connectivity in the Pacific island countries including Samoa.

“This is because oceans can be a constraint for development of the Pacific island countries where people are separated by the oceans causing so much inconvenience.

“As the people who share the Pacific, we feel that connecting people and goods is an important task for the social and economic development of island countries.”

The Japanese envoy is disappointed by the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic that has resulted in restrictions on cross-border travel.

“It is quite regrettable that tourists from overseas has not been able to come to Samoa, hence neither the Matautu wharf nor this new bridge could function fully for their roles.”

The $44m Vaisigano Bridge was funded under a grant from Japan to help with the recovery process for Samoa following severe  damages to the old bridge from Cyclone Evan in 2012, and Cyclone Gita in 2018.

The new bridge is designed for up to 100 years and to be ‘less prone to adhering salt and higher clearance from the surface of the sea.’

 Traffic have been allowed to run freely for several days in the lead up to the official opening of the new infrastructure, much to the relief of regular travelers on the east side of Apia.

Long traffic lines were seen at three of the bridge crossings further up the Vaisigano River mouth while the new bridge was under construction.

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