Village residents in Nuusuatia were joined by Government leaders last Friday to celebrate their new $2,044,437 bridge made of concrete and steel.

Funding from the Enhanced Road Access Project (E.R.A.P.) made the project possible with the World Bank and the government of Australia provided $29.3 million in February of 2014 for the project.

The bridge spans 18 metres by 9.2 metres and was designed by Origin Engineering and built by King Construction.

Origin and the Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) supervised the project that began under the administration of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) and was completed in May this year.

The L.T.A. Chief Executive Officer, Galumalemana Titi Tutuvanu-Schwalger offered welcome remarks to open the ceremony.

The Works Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Olo Fiti Vaai, delivered the keynote address at the celebration with representatives of the World Bank and Australia also in attendance.

The bridge will ease travel for members of the public and especially those who live in Nuusuatia and surrounding areas, Olo said.

The Minister then thanked the World Bank and the government of Australia as well as everyone else who contributed to the building of the new bridge.

 “To the World Bank and the Government of Australia, I wish to convey behalf of the Government of Samoa our sincerest fa’afetai tele lava for funding this project which provides a sustainable, safe, secure and environmentally responsible transport network but also that which supports Samoa’s economic and social development,” said Olo.

“We look forward to continue our working relationship for more developments in the future.”

Methodist Rev. Pili Mapuilesua offered a scriptural thought and led the gathering in prayer and song, saying "The road has been used for quite a while but today it is officially opened."

He thanked the H.R.P.P. and the new government led by Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) as well as  the development partners the World Bank and the Government of Australia for the project's funding.

Rev. Mapuilesua made special mention of all the men and women who toiled in the sun and rain to build the bridge.

Representing the World Bank and the Australian Government at the celebration, Maeva Betham Vaai thanked the former government of Samoa and former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi and all who made the project possible. 

She was given the honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon to open the bridge.