$15 MILLION FUNDING SECURED FOR NEW LEGISLATIVE HQ
By: Nanai Taofiga Laveitiga Tuiletufuga
If pieces of the puzzle fall together in place, the Legislative Branch (Palemene o Samoa) will ground break her new climate resilient Administration and Office Facilities at its old location at Mulinuu by June next year.
The old building was demolished several years back and funding was being sorted out.
But last Friday the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Tiatia Graeme Tualaulelei informed the Cabinet Development Committee during its onsite visit that it’s all systems go with funding secured.
The Government Australia announced the Clerk has
committed a further $15 million tala funding to build the two storeys Administration and Office facilities for the Legislative Branch.
It will also include a Multi-Purpose Conference Hall designed to host 300 people. The hall added Tiatia is ideal for Parliament Public Hearings, hosting VIP guests during national events e.g. Independence Day and hosts international conferences as it will be equipped with the state of the art communication accessories.
Australia is in charge for the design, construction and project supervision.
The funding is the second phase of the Government of Australia’s commitment to improve the infrastructure capacities for the Palemene of Samoa.
Australia funded the new Parliament in the initial phase of the multi-million tala grant project.
Project Progress
To date, the work for design documentation and project management of the construction of the new LAO was awarded to Alexander & Lloyd Group (ALG), an Australian based architectural and project management firm with vast experience in the Pacific including Samoa.
Since their selection, ALG has carried out two design missions to engage building users in the design process; inspected current buildings of similar scope in Samoa to determine the best mechanical services system for the LAO; consult with relevant authorities on Samoa’s building statutory requirements and codes; completed geotechnical investigations of the building site; and finalize the building layout and architectural form in close consultation with the Clerk and OCLA.
As at July 2020, the Developed Concept Design is 90% completed.
