Complaint lodged against cargo loading at Pago Wharf

APIA, SAMOA – 28 JUNE 2022: A member of the public, Launiu Saelua has written to the Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne Fong and the General Manager of the Samoa Shipping Corporation complaining about what he called “extreme chaos at Pago Pago wharf each and every time Lady Naomi arrives to offload and load cargo to/from Apia.”

Saelua said “the ordeal and experience is outdated and implored the Minister and General Manager of SSC to re-tender or instruct the local agent in American Samoa for a more efficient and less painful operations for the people that hope to clear incoming cargo to American Samoa, and more important the cargo to be sent from Pago Pago to Apia.”

The letter is public below verbatim.

28 June 2022

Hon Leatinuu Wayne Fong
Minister of Public Enterprises

Leiataua Samuel Phineas
General Manager
Samoa Shipping Corporation

                              RE: Lady Naomi offloading/loading agent in American Samoa

Afioga e,

I humbly submit this letter on behalf of many Samoans & American Samoans that are subject to extreme chaos at Pago Pago wharf each and every time Lady Naomi arrives to offload and load cargo to/from Apia.

The ordeal and experience is outdated and we humbly implore the Honorable Minister and General Manager of SSC to re-tender or instruct the local agent in American Samoa for a more efficient and less painful operations for the people that hope to clear incoming cargo to American Samoa, and more important the cargo to be sent from Pago Pago to Apia.

The current system is outdated with pushing, nepotism, unorganized operations that is very strenuous to the people that are both Samoan citizens and American Samoa families that try to send cargo from Pago Pago to Apia. Lining up at 12pm and finally able to leave the wharf at 4pm is completely unnecessary with manageable and possible improvements to develop this service for the people.

If the agent does not care about providing this service at a less chaotic manner, then SSC can opt to re-advertise the local agent for a better company that consider a better service for the people and not have a condescending view and not care about their service to the people.

Honorable Minister, we invite you and General Manager Leiataua to travel to Pago Pago Wharf to witness the disorder and ineffective service the current agent is providing with our people. You will see familiar Samoan business owners, faifeau & faletua, the elderlies all struggle to send/receive their cargo in the most unfashionable means.

If the management of the Pago Pago agent that handles Lady Naomi also happens to read this, our humble request is to act on it. Not for any ill feeling towards your company, but for the people of Samoa & American Samoa that depend on you for good service.

Ma le ava e tatau ai.

Launiu Saelua