An overseas auditor is in Samoa and is working alongside the Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.) to examine the security and overall upgrade works at the Faleolo International Airport, Samoa Observer can reveal.

The audit team arrived two weeks ago and started their audit examinations last week with security being one of the major scope of work as the nations gears to upgrade the port of entry for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October next year.

Samoa Observer's reliable sources also revealed that the audit work will also examine the overall costs for the renovations and major upgrade.

Attempts to get a comment from the Samoa Airport Authority and MWTI on the weekend were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Samoa Observer understands that by the completion of the audit, the airport management and M.W.T.I will work on how to improve the airport’s security and renovations for the airport leading up to the meeting next year.

A new VIP Lounge will be built to replace the current facilities at the airport, which were originally built in 1984 and received its last major upgrade almost ten years ago in 2014.

The project to build the new VIP Lounge, which was endorsed by the Cabinet, will connect with the airport terminal to allow convenient access to the departure and arrival lounges, especially for VIP guests who will arrive in the country. 

“Construction should be completed in 10 months by August 2024 and will cost the [Samoa Airport] Authority $6 million tala,” said the S.A.A. Chief Executive Officer, Silimanai Ueta Solomona. 

The second project at the Faleolo International Airport will address further terminal improvements in the lead-up to the international summit.

Acknowledging the support of the New Zealand government through the New Zealand High Commissioners’ Office in Apia, a partnership agreement was signed earlier last month with the Minister for Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai.

The partnership agreement includes the supply, installation and maintenance of aviation security screening equipment donated by New Zealand and funded through the Pacific Security Fund at a cost of SAT$1.5 million.

“The installation of these new equipment will ensure Samoa’s continued compliance with ICAO standards and best practices and it is a timely investment as Samoa prepares to host the CHOGM meeting in 2024,” said the Minister. 

The equipment includes three x-ray machines for carry-on baggage, one x-ray machine for checked baggage, one x-ray machine for large cargo, three walk-through metal detectors, a workstation for baggage inspections, a new air-conditioning system, and an explosive trace detection system.