More than $650,000 tala was presented to the Prime Minister by Samoa Airport Authority
The sum was a dividend from the profits made by the Samoa Airports Authorities from the years 2013 and 2014 that totaled more than $875,984 tala.
The Samoa Airport Authority paid off a debt owed to the government, leaving the profit of $653,141.50 which was presented to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
The airports authorities are undergoing the multimillion tala construction of the new Airport at Faleolo something the Minister of Work, Transportation and Infrastructure, Manualesagalala Enokati Posala was thankful to the Prime Minister for his emphasis on improving the airport infrastructure.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa was somewhat surprised by the presentation.
"You men are magicians, you’re miracle workers, I always thought it would take another 20 years until I can see some profit from our Airports," he joked.
"The best thing is that our airports are growing, and the plans to improving these assets are all under way.
"A big congratulations to the board for the great contribution to the government," he concluded.
The prime minister has revealed that the government has plans to add two big planes in the near future once the airport works are through.
"We plan to bring in a big 747 or a 777 and a smaller plane. It’s about time we revive our air transportation services," he said.
This is the first dividend handed over from the Airports Authorities to the government.