American Samoa Government breaks ground for Apia Office

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 10 October 2023: The Governor of American Samoa, Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa today led the ground breaking ceremony for American Samoa’s office in Apia. The office location is on prime seaside land opposite the Taumeasina Island Resort at Moata’a.

The President of the Methodist Church, Reverend Faulalo Leti Paaga led the prayer service and blessed the land for the office project.

It is a milestone for the American Samoa government who have taken the first step to build its office in Apia and the Governor acknowledged the Samoa Government for giving them the land they wished to build on.

“This has been a long time in the making and what we have dreamt of as a point of contact as we move forward,” said Governor Lemana. “I acknowledge your support as despite the differences in our political systems, this consolidates our special relationships as one and the same people and family,” he said.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa acknowledged the Governor’s kind words and also spoke of the importance of the two countries working together to develop their people.

Governor Lemanu and part of the American Samoa delegation.

The Governor is leading a delegation for this week’s ATOA Samoa Talks in Apia which highlights practical outcomes and decisions for the development and mutual collaboration between the two countries.

Fiame acknowledged the American Samoa government for allocating land at Tafuna to build Samoa’s Consular Office.

Previously, the Samoan government offered American Samoa land at Avele but did not take it because it was located right next to the new Chinese Embassy currently under construction.

The second land offer was at Motootua however, they have settled for the seaside location opposite the Taumeasina Island resort.

The American Samoa delegation was welcomed in a reception tonight and the ATOA Samoa Talks at the Taumeasina Island Resort Wednesday morning.

The American Samoa delegation and local counterparts will also visit various sites in Savaii on Thursday before returning to finalize the meeting outcomes on Friday.

The seaside location for the American Samoa government office at Moataa opposite the Taumeasina Island resort.