Plans to secure an area near the wharf in Pago Pago in American Samoa to construct a terminal and warehouse to store cargo shipped on the Lady Samoa IV will be pushed through with more discussions to follow. 

The proposed plan was amongst follow-up matters pursued by the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai in the recent 4th Atoa o Samoa bilateral meeting last month. 

Prior to kicking off the bi-annual talks with American Samoan officials, Olo said the storeroom in the territory’s wharf was too small and most of the cargo bound for Samoa was often left outside where there was no shelter. 

He was optimistic about securing an area to build a warehouse in preparation for the Export Authority to shelter exported cargo and be used by Samoans shipping goods between the islands.

In addition he noted the warehouse will also benefit those in the territory intending to send cargo for their families in Samoa and the facility can be used to store goods. 

Upon following up on those plans, the Minister for M.W.T.I. said the project will push through. 

“However, further talks have not yet taken place due to both Governments’ other pressing official duties at this moment,” he responded to questions from the Samoa Observer this week. 

“It is very important that we push through with building a terminal as well as a warehouse to store cargo shipped on the Lady Samoa IV.  

“In fact, we are planning on flying over to American Samoa to discuss this matter further before this year ends.” 

The Atoa o Samoa talks wrapped up in mid-October with the Outcome Statement is still unavailable.