KEYNOTE SPEECH – HON. PRIME MINISTER AT THE HANDOVER CEREMONY OF XRAYS, CT SCANNER, WALK THROUGH METAL DETECTORS AND EXPLOSIVE TRACE DETECTION EQUIPMENT,

FALEOLO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

THURSDAY, 15 AUGUST 2024 @ 10:00AM

Lau Susuga i le Taitai o le Sauniga

Hon. Speaker and Hon. Minister of Health

Your Excellency Si'alei Van Toor, NZ High Commissioner to Samoa

Mr. Athol Glover, Principal Advisor Aviation Security (Pacific Islands)

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a pleasure and real delight for me to welcome you to the Official Handover Ceremony of the NEW XRAYS, CT Scanner, Walk Through Metal Detectors and Explosive Trace Detection equipment for the Samoa Airport Authority donated by the Government of New Zealand through its Official Development Assistance Program.

On behalf of the Government of the Independent State of Samoa, I am delighted to accept this gift and extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of New Zealand for its continuing assistance for Samoa in the field of civil aviation.

At the international level, Samoa and New Zealand have always maintained and enjoyed a mutual respect and friendship for each other not often found in other parts of the world. This relationship is reaffirmed by the Statement of Partnership, which largely sets out the vision, priorities and principles for cooperation in any project we have shared. This testifies to your continuing commitment and the co-operation between our countries that has endured the test of time especially in our hour of need for which New Zealand had remained resolute to its obligation founded in the Treaty of Friendship.

As you are aware, this assistance, comprises of 5 Explosive Detection System dual view XRAY systems for scanning passenger baggage and cargo, 1 Computed Tomography next generation 3D imaging x-ray system for Hold Baggage, 3 Explosive Trace Detection systems which is an enhancement feature of aviation security screening and will be used for screening passengers, cargo and applying the additional US Government security requirements for the weekly flight to Honolulu and 3 Walk Through Metal Detectors with a total cost of NZD$2M. In addition, New Zealand will provide service and maintenance support of the donated equipment for the next 3 years following this official handover ceremony. This project is another important step in enhancing aviation security not only for Samoa but for the entire Pacific Region.

I understand that Niue and Kiribati have already received their new screening systems, with Tonga and the Solomon Islands to follow shortly after the Samoa component of this project.

This will provide our assigned frontline officers with the best tools available to screen passengers carry-on items, check luggage, items of cargo, and improves and enhances Samoa's national security requirements and awareness.

We are most appreciative of the timely arrival of the new equipment and machines as we have less than three months from hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

No doubt, the enhancement and improvement of the security equipment will assist Samoa greatly in keeping our people, visitors to Samoa, tourists and our borders safe.

Once again, on behalf of the Government of the Independent State of Samoa and the people of Samoa, I wish to thank the Government of New Zealand for its tremendous support and continuing assistance in improving and enhancing aviation security in Samoa.

May we continue to work together in the spirit of trust and friendship.

God bless - SOIFUA MA IA MANUIA.

Photo by Government of Samoa (Leaosa Faaifo Faaifo)

September 8, 2024

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