The amendment Samoa Port Authority bill was deliberated in Parliament today when it was read in the second reading.
Minister of SPA, Olo Fiti Vaai explained that the proposed measure is to provide for the transition and transfer of staff and assets from the Samoa Shipping Corporation Limited to the Authority and any other transitional matters to give effect to the transfer of assets and staff under the Ports Authority Amendment Act 2022.
“At the commencement of this Act, any existing security, cleaner or any other prescribed employee or staff employed by the Corporation in relation to the ports continue in their appointments and is taken to be employed or contracted by the Authority.
“All debts, liabilities and obligations in connection with or pertaining to the ports prior to the commencement of this Act will remain vested in the Corporation.”
Olo explained currently the Ports of Salelologa and Mulifanua are under the administration of the Corporation, however, in order to reflect the role of the Ports Authority as well as to align with international ports standards, it is appropriate to transfer all ports to the Samoa Ports Authority.
Adding that the amendments made in 2014 were due to predicaments faced by the Authority at the time.
“The importance of the amendments is beneficial to Samoa’s economy, and also sees to it that one Authority oversees operations of all the ports in the Country.”
Deputy leader of the Human Rights Protection Party Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo says the proposed changes is a reversal of the changes that were done in 2014 due to Port Authority’s financial instability at the time.
Fonotoe also pointed to the differences between domestic and international ports.
Adding that if these amendments are to improve the standards of the international ports in turn will benefit the country then the changes are warranted.
He also pointed to the development of the wharves at Salelologa and Mulifanua to be in line with the main wharf in Apia.
Furthermore, the Opposition Deputy Leader also acknowledged the proposed amendments guarantees that no employee will lose their job.
