The controversial Alaoa dam project works is expected to get a move on by the end of this year, the Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti has confirmed in Parliament on Friday. 

Sili said that close to US$100 million has been allocated for the project.

“The plan is that closer to the end of this year, the works should already be starting as we do need to go through the tender process,” he said. 

“And I also believe that a contractor experienced in building a dam may not be found in Samoa, specialised expertise is needed from overseas. 

“But the fact is, we are almost up to US $100 million already prepared and signed [for the project], as requested for the easing of effects of the flooding that occur during the heavy rainfall season, as mentioned by the Vaimauga i Sisifo Member of Parliament.

“An agreement has been signed with the A.D.B. and other countries, including Australia, have put in assistance with the expectation that it will happen within the second half of this year, keeping in mind that our borders remain closed, but we do need experts from overseas to ensure the project is well executed.”

The matter was raised by the Member of Parliament for Anoama'a West, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo who commended the Government for plans for the Alaoa Dam, saying it will help greatly in easing the flooding periods experienced each time there is heavy rainfall.

“Once we lay definite waterways to focus the flow of the water during rainfall to go into this valley, it will be stored in that dam,” he said. 

“Because we have noticed that, as also mentioned by one of the Members from Vaimauga and [a Member] from Faleata, when heavy rain falls in the Tuasivi, the flow of water is all-encompassing, it is going everywhere – between homes, neighborhoods and even into homes.

“Even with the last heavy rainfall last week and the heavy rainfall from last month, if we do something to collect all this water by focusing it into this project, then it is a plan well done; this is my take on it as a Member of Parliament. So I thank you for such great plans for our country.”

The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi added to the discussion saying the valleys up in Alaoa are large areas of land instrumental in capturing the water that is causing concern to those living in the coastal area during floods.

“But now the engineers have touched on the exact reason why this problem exists and it is from the mountains. The matter needs to be solved from the mountains, especially with all this babble that the township area is in the wrong location, only a few feet above sea-level,” he said.

“It has been very difficult to solve this matter but [Fonotoe]’s speech has touched on what they call cause and effect, the beginning and the end. So as we all think of the end, what we should be looking at is in the mountains, because that is where the rain is falling. 

“Plus the extraordinary climate change effects of a drastic change in the amount of rainfall, and it is not just Samoa that is affected, but the whole world; except God continues to look over Samoa. 

“At least Samoa is only getting rainfall and not the strong winds, cyclones going at thousands of miles per hour, but we are getting rain water that is filling [our] buckets for the future periods where we may not have rain.”

Tuilaepa told Parliament that the project is not a development expected to benefit Samoa for a handful of years, but rather for generations to come. 

Minister of Works, Transportation and Infrastructure, Papalii Niko Lee Hang then took the floor to confirm that a feasibility study will be conducted on how to stabilize the mountainous slopes near roads, an issue also raised by Fonotoe. 

Papalii said the feasibility study will be conducted for Anoama’a district on the north east side of Upolu as well as Safotu in Savaii.

“The project will be funded by the World Bank,” he said. 

“These are matters very crucial in the developments planned by the Government for the safety of our country, especially for the villages involved.” 

The 55 metre high and 200 metre wide dam will be built at the intersection of the eastern and middle branches of the Vaisigano River in Alaoa. 

According to the Asian Development Bank website, the project is expected to help Samoa attenuate Vaisigano River floods, increase the resiliency of the Apia water supply, increase Samoa's renewable energy production capacity.