Asian Development Bank

The project will upgrade the Central Cross Island Road in Upolu island by building 8.4 kilometers (km) of footpaths and establishing 18 streetlights, 18 safe bus stops, and 11 pedestrian crossings. The project will finance routine maintenance for three years after the completion of the upgrade, as well as boost the capacity of Land Transport Authority staff and other government officials in project management, procurement, gender aspects, safeguards management, and public communications.

Samoa’s Minister of Finance and ADB Governor Sili Epa Tuioti signed the agreement today at the Ministry of Finance in Apia.

Senior Country Coordination Officer from ADB’s Samoa Pacific Country Office Maria Melei and Counsellor and Deputy Head of the Embassy of Japan in Samoa, Kishi Isao attended the event.

The grant will help fund measures to upgrade Samoa’s health sector and support the government’s economic stimulus programme.

“As Samoa works to keep the disease from entering the country, ADB’s support will help to strengthen the health sector by funding the training of workers, upgrading facilities, and bolstering medical supplies,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. “ADB’s assistance will also help support the livelihoods of the many people in Samoa affected by the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.”

A state of emergency was declared in Samoa on 20 March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The scale of the emergency is expected to be beyond the capacity of the government’s health sector to meet the immediate expenses needed for adequate public health services during the crisis. The Government of Samoa had already announced a 66.3 million tala ($23.78 million) stimulus program to cope with the economic impact of the pandemic.

The Samoa Observer reported the upgrade was being financed by a $US62.3 million grant from the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) disaster risk reduction financing mechanism.

Sili said the upgrade was a complete package, not just for the Ports Authority but also for government services operating at the port.

Improved security would also ensure no drugs or weapons were smuggled into or out of Samoa, following the procurement of a new container scanner, he said.

“Enhanced climate and disaster resilience of the lifeline port, and enhanced border security and efficiency delivered by the project will increase trade competitiveness, particularly for Samoan exports,” said ADB Senior Transport Specialist for the Pacific Ms. Alexandra Pamela Chiang. “This will stimulate the economy, generate local employment, boost trade, and improve people’s lives.”

The plan was announced at the ADB board of governor's meeting, held last week in Fiji.

The Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies targets maritime welfare in the Asia-Pacific.

ADB president Takehiko Nakao said it was part of a more, "resilient future, where humanity and oceans thrive together".

Of the world's 10 rivers carrying the most plastic pollution to the ocean, the ADB said eight were in the region.

Without immediate action, the ADB said about 90 percent of the region's coral reefs could be dead by 2050.

The support includes loans, guarantees, and letters of credit aimed to overcome constraints to private sector investment in the renewables sector.

The ADB says the Pacific Renewable Energy Programme will support an estimated 5 separate renewable energy projects in its Pacific developing member countries over a 5 year period.

"The program will help to build urgently needed capacity for energy sector expansion and private sector interest in clean energy projects in the region," said the Director General of the ADB's Pacific Department Carmela Locsin

President Nakao also met Minister for Finance and ADB Governor Sili Epa Tuioti during his first official visit to Samoa. 

“Samoa is a founding member of ADB since 1966 and we have worked in close partnership to address development challenges and create new opportunities in this country,” said Nakao. 

“ADB is increasing its support to Samoa and we are committed to helping the government continue to improve access to renewable energy, extend ICT connectivity, and strengthen public sector management.” 

ADB President Takehiko Nakao is in Samoa for a three day visit.

Both the Samoa government and the ADB have been criticised for promoting the economic use of customary land and the creation of a more structured registration system of title.

This culminated with legal action against the Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi over the Government's Land Titles Registration Act.

But Mr Nakao said the ADB did not want to infringe on the rights of land owners.