|
|
|
|
|
FALEOMAVAEGA REPORTS ON HIS TRIP TO MANU’A |
|
Media Release |
|
| |
Congressman Faleomavaega
announced that he was very pleased with the status of surface
transportation operation to the Manu’a Islands following a trip
there when he personally sailed there and back on the M.V. Sili. The
Congressman made the trip as a general inspection which included
observing and assessing wharf facilities, roads and other projects,
right at the time when President Bush signed into law legislation
which included $1.6 million the Congressman proposed for the
renovation of the Ta’u harbor facility, plus and additional $1.4
million for village road improvements in the Manua district.
“I am most happy that surface transportation for Manu’a will be in
full operation very soon, with money now available for dredging and
renovations to Ta’u Harbor. I want to thank the Director of Port
Administration, Fofo Tuitele, for putting out the bids for the
dredging of Ofu harbor, which I understand will be implemented soon.
Once this and the Ta’u harbor renovations and dredging are all done,
Manu’a’s surface transportation should be in full operation,”
Faleomavaega said.
“With all the negative publicity the M.V. Sili has been getting, I
am happy I personally took the trip to experience the ride. In my
opinion, the M.V. Sili fits the need to improve surface
transportation for our people in Manu’a. The vessel is sturdy and
rides smoothly and carries as many as 150 passengers, and at the
same time carries freight and cargo with as many as 20 containers at
the same time.”
“Not only can the passengers now travel indoors with cabins
available, but protection and shelter are given to cargoes and loads
shipped back and forth in containers. These and larger bulked
cargoes can be loaded / offloaded by on-board cranes when the M.V.
Sili docks like it will soon be at Ofu and Tau as it is now at
Faleasao,” the Congressman reiterated.
“As Captain Thompson puts it, the Department of Port Administration
takes great pride in the American Bureau of Shipping Certificate of
Compliance it maintained in May 2004 for the M.V. Sili. This is an
achievement the department preserves with near fanatical attention
to preventive mechanical maintenance, constant crew drill and
training through United States Coast Guard Certificate of Compliance
requirements and regulations,” the Congressman quoted the captain as
|
|
 |
|
|
Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunken visiting Manu'a on a general
inspection.
Photo: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega |
 |
|
Captain Wally Thompson of the M.V. Sili vessel servicing the
Manu'a islands.
Photo: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega |
|
 |
|
Dredging work at Ofu harbor to be followed by Ta'u
harbor dredging and renovations.
Photo: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega |
| |
saying. “After seeing
the M.V. Sili for the first time, a marine industry representative
in the recent Department of Interior trade mission group that
visited the territory about a month ago pointed out to Captain
Thompson that the American Samoa Government was very fortunate to
have owned the vessel since its replacement value has jumped to $5 -
$7 million after Hurricane Katrina,” Faleomavaega stated. “The M.V.
Sili was built in the Louisiana shipyards, and with spare parts, it
totaled almost $4 million. When Hurricane Katrina struck last year,
all these shipyards were wiped out, and the replacement value of the
M.V. Sili almost double.”
“Until recently, the Department of Port Administration has managed
to keep the freight and fare rates to Manu’a at the minimum since
2004, despite rising fuel costs. It is only this month that an
increase in fares from $20 to $30 one way went into effect. Round
trip is now $50. Cargo minimum rates were raised from $1 to $3 per
piece, with the maximum of $5 to $10 depending on seize,”
Faleomavaega stated.
“Compared to the run by the M.V. Naomi from Pago Pago to Apia, which
is roughly the same distance, the one way fare is $60 for seats
under the canopy on deck, and $75 in-cabin. Round trip is $80 and
$100 respectively. Cargo rates are often times inconsistent,
depending largely on size and weight, with pellets running as much
as around $108 each.
“I am pleased to note from the records provided by Captain Thompson
that the M.V. Sili has been utilized not only for Manu’a, but was
kept busy for other voyages. In the past ten months, the vessel
logged 40 trips to Manu’a, ferrying 1,200 passengers back and forth
for fa’alavelave like funerals, church dedications, Flag Day
celebrations and other functions. The vessel at the same time also
shipped and delivered 11,000 long tons of general cargo, vehicles,
construction equipment, school lunch supplies, medical, general
break bulk freight, building materials, fuel/oil for ASPA, and many
more,” Faleomavaega stated.
“Additionally, the M.V. Sili was involved in a medivac mission to
Swains once, a salvage operation in Rose Atoll when a fishing vessel
got grounded on the reef there, and it towed two disabled fishing
boats back to Pago Harbor when they developed engine trouble out in
the open ocean. The M.V. Sili was also involved in assisting and
towing construction barges for the dredging of Faleasao harbor,” the
Congressman reiterated.
“All in all, the M.V. Sili has performed more than it was set up
for, given the fact that it still could not dock at Ofu and Ta’u.
But I share the pride and joy of the captain and crew, and the
optimistic spirit of Port Director Fofo Tuitele, that in a few more
months, the M.V. Sili will finally operate on the Manu’a run fully
as it was originally planned for.”
“Again, I want to say that the only reason the M.V. Sili could not
properly operate in Manu’a because the Ofu and Faleasao harbors were
not dredged; and now that dredging of Faleasao has been completed, I
believe residents of Ta’u are happy with the services of the vessel.
In a couple of months, the Ofu harbor will also be dredged,”
Faleomavaega said.
“And again, I want to thank Director Fofo Tuitele, Captain Wally
Thompson, the M.V. Sili crew, Port Administration staff for their
determination to open up the full operation of surface
transportation to Manu’a. Above all, I thank the people of Manu’a
for their patience and endurance,” the Congressman concluded.
|
|
| |
Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd. 2005
|
|
|
|
|
