The delay in setting up a molecular testing division within the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (S.R.O.S.) has pushed back Police plans to recalibrate their breathalyser machines locally.

Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo told the Samoa Observer that they had approached the S.R.O.S. management and asked the Police be given space within the newly established division but their plans are now on halt as the molecular testing division is yet to be set up. The new division within the S.R.O.S. was to operate out of the old MedCen hospital facility at Vailima following its launching in July last year. 

"We asked them for a space there at their facility and they agreed but that's the last we heard of that. The space we asked for is for our breathalyzer machines to be recalibrated there," said Auapaau. "Why we're doing this is so we can finally have the breathalyser machines recalibrated locally instead of taking them all the way to Australia as it is costly. 

"Fortunately, it is being funded through our partnership with the Australian Federal Police."

Auapaau also stressed the importance of breathalyser machines which the Police are currently using at roadblocks to combat increasing incidences of drunk driving cases in the country.

Asked about whether they plan to work with the newly established molecular testing division at the S.R.O.S. in the examination and testing of drugs, Auapaau said "yes".

The S.R.O.S. Acting Chief Executive Officer, Fa'aea Talila'i told Samoa Observer early this week that the lack of funding stalled their plans to set up the new molecular testing division. She confirmed that the organisation received a grant allocation of SAT$250,000 from the Government but it was not enough to fully renovate the old building. 

"Yes it [molecular division] was launched last year but it [building] wasn't bought with money, it was a transfer of assets of the Government and that (MedCen) was under M.A.F. [Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries] so we proposed that building to house our new division for our molecular testing," Ms. Talila'i said. "But just because it was launched doesn't mean we'll have to start right away. 

"As you can see with the condition of the building, our staff had to go through so much work, trying to clean up the place both inside the facility and outside as well with the grass and everything as people made a big mess inside such as making fire inside."

"And you know how S.R.O.S. depends on grants from the Government and currently we don't have enough grants because of the (current) condition of the building which is not safe for use yet so we need to renovate it properly to house this new division but the problem is that there is no funding."

Ms. Talila'i also said that they don't have a lot of savings and contractors had stepped forward with quotes to undertake the renovation work, but none of them was below a million tala, which she indicated is money that they don't currently have. 

The Acting C.E.O. was approached for comment on the delay in establishing the molecular testing division at the old MedCen hospital facility after members of the public expressed concern that it has been 12 months since the announcement was made. The molecular testing services division at the S.R.O.S. will be responsible for the testing of drugs and narcotics and process and attend to requests for molecular tests from the different bodies within the Government.