The Government of Samoa and Japan on Monday morning formalised a grant assistance to get a new vessel for Samoa following the demise of the Police-operated Nafanua II.

The Minister of Police and Prison, Faualo Harry Jeffrey Schuster and Japan's Ambassador to Samoa, Senta Keisuke signed an agreement in the presence of the Associate Minister of Police and the Police Commissioner. 

The signing reaffirmed the commitment and partnership between the two countries to secure Samoa's maritime boundaries through the provision of a vessel under its Economic and Social Development Programme. 

Japan has offered grant assistance valued at JPY 150,000,000 (approximately $3 million tala) for the procurement of a patrol boat (17 metres long) to support the Samoa Police's maritime surveillance and law enforcement programme. 

Mr. Keisuke, who spoke on behalf of the Japan Government, highlighted the significance of the assistance in strengthening the relationship between the two nations. 

"The grant aid amounting to 150 million Japanese Yen (approximately USD$1.38 million) will be provided to the Government of the Independent State of Samoa for the procurement of a 17 meter long patrol boat for its maritime sector in order to enhance the economic and social development of this country," Mr. Keisuke said. 

"This time, the programme is also expected to support the human capacity development through trainings, specifically for the Maritime Unit of Samoa Police as the end user of the patrol boat.

"This grant aid assistance is based on the prioritised areas of Japan’s assistance to Sustainable Oceans based on the Rule of Law, declared during the Ninth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 9) in 2021. 

"I am also delighted to acknowledge this programme meets the Samoan needs of maritime security in a timely manner. In addition, the boat can also contribute to a field of research and rescue in case of an emergency situation such as natural disaster.

"I also wish to highlight that Japan’s cooperation to Samoa is in harmonisation with the national plan of the 5 Year Pathway for the Development of Samoa. 

"I extend my best wishes for the successful implementation of this Grant Aid which is a significant contribution in strengthening the maritime security especially along the coastal areas of Samoa. 

"I conclude with confidence that this grant aid will further strengthen friendship between the people and Governments of Japan and Samoa."

In response, the Minister of Police, Faualo expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan on behalf of the Ministry of Police and also the Government of Samoa. 

"The provision of this assistance allows our small country with limited resources to alleviate our security concerns on many many levels," said Faualo. 

"This boat can afford us the opportunity to patrol and protect our territory and sovereign nation. Not only that but it allows us to protect our exclusive economic zone as you know the sea provides for all of us. It's one of our main source of income. 

"We cannot thank you enough for this great assistance, and I am very looking forward to signing more agreements for assistance for the development of our nation."

The new vessel will further enhance Samoa’s maritime capability to ensure: ongoing protection of her territorial waters and marine resources; enhanced border protection from external security threats ranging from transnational crime, illegal immigration to  illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and provision of effective emergency response services for disasters, such as coastline surveillance, search and rescue operations.