(Wednesday, June 16, 2021)
Reverend Minister
Honorable caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Honorable caretaker Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio
Honorable caretaker Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Seigafolava Hunt
Chief Executive Officer Afamasaga Dr. Karoline Fuata’i and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture
Member of Parliament-elect, Alaiasa Moefaauo Sepulona Moananu and the High Chiefs of Lalomauga Village
Principal Vaeluaga Tiauli of Lalomauga Primary… and all distinguished guests.
Talofa lava and thank you for joining us to celebrate the completion of a brand new Lalomauga Primary School.
What we have before us today is a 6-classroom building, complete with blackboards and ceiling fans, a library, a principal’s office, a staff meeting room, a secretary’s room, a storage room, and restrooms for girls, boys, and staff.
This school building was built in accordance with the International Building code and U.S. engineering standards, and is certified to withstand a category 5 cyclone. The structural system is reinforced concrete masonry wall with a sawn lumber roofing structure and a metal sheet roof. Electrical work includes all necessary lighting, receptacles, exhausts, and ceiling fans with a grounding system.
I would like to thank the Honorable caretaker Minister of Education, Sports, and Culture and his staff. This project was the direct result of discussions between our Embassy and the Ministry, when we asked how we could assist with any primary schools in most need of repair or a rebuild. Fa’afetai.
Although funded by the United States government, a local Samoan construction company built the school. We contracted the services of Schwarz Construction Limited to ensure that this school, built for Samoans, was built by Samoans. Thank you Mr. Schwartz Hunt and his team for the quality work. Fa’afetai.
And most importantly, to the Principal and the school committee of Lalomauga Primary, thank you tremendously for your cooperation and patience throughout this process. Our hope is that this new facility improves the education experience at Lalomauga Primary.
I’d like to close with a short message to the children and future students of Lalomauga. This school, is your school. Education and your studies are your window to the world.
May your new school bring you much happiness, excitement, and serve as the beginning for the bright future that awaits you. 10, 20, even 30 years from now, I look forward to meeting you again, whether that will be in Apia, America, or right here in Lalomauga.
God bless. Faafetai. Soifua.
