The government has awarded a $24 million tala contract to Zheng Construction Co. Ltd for the construction of the new flea market situated at Savalalo.

The contract for the construction project was officially granted on January 17, 2024. 

According to the Tender Awards released by the Ministry of Finance, two contenders were vying for the contract. 

The competing bidder was Schwarz Construction Ltd.

Zheng Construction Co. Ltd, is a Samoan-registered company incorporated on 17 September 2012 and listed Chinese national Peizheng Wang as the director of the company.

The company, with a proven track record in Samoa, has undertaken significant projects such as the National Operation Emergency Centre (N.E.O.C.) Office, the Water Resources Division Office at Vailima, and the Apia Waterfront.

The Cabinet has already designated Tinai, Gordon and Associates as the project manager for the upcoming multi-million tala re-development endeavor, slated to commence construction either in October or November of this year. 

Additionally, the concept design responsibility was assigned to Sucon Consulting.

Last year, the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Samoa officially signed the grant of $20 million tala. 

In a previous interview with the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C.), Ulugia Petelo Kavesi, he confirmed that the project is to be completed within 15 to 18 months and are expecting the new flea market to be completed either December of this year or January 2025. 

He also confirmed that the estimated cost of the project is $29 million tala. 

"The government of New Zealand has already pledged a total of $NZD12 million which is equivalent to $20 million tala. The government of Samoa through S.L.C. will contribute $10 million tala to complete the project," she said.

"It is expected that the new flea market will give Apia a facelift and will also open up offices inside the market offering essential services for our people."

In September of 2022, this newspaper revealed that the re-development of the Savalalo market project will give the capital a new look with the soon-to-be modern-looking flea market. 

The Cabinet endorsed and approved the design for the project, which was prepared and presented by Sucon Consulting founder and Managing Director, Lefaotogi Paletalasala Faolotoi.

The winning design was inspired by the famous Samoan legend, Vaea and Apaula with Lefaotogi proposing to also change the name of the market from Savalalo market to "Tuisavalalo market".

The 3D photos and videos of the winning design, which has been accepted and picked by the Government, look nothing like the old market that was previously there. 

The new design shows a more modern building that gives it a shopping mall look than the familiar market designs seen around Samoa.