(WEDNESDAY, 02/10/2024 AT 8:30AM AT THE CUSTOMS CONFERENCE ROOM, MATAUTU-TAI)
Lau Susuga i le ta’ita’i ole sauniga,
Lau Susuga i le Toeaina Rev. Molī Molī
High Commissioner of the Government of Australia in Samoa,
Your Excellency Will Robinson
First Secretary of the ABF Pacific (Offshore) Network in Samoa,
Inspector Michelle Bond
Representatives from the Australia High Commission to Samoa
Management and Staff of the Ministry of Customs & Revenue
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Ministry of Customs and Revenue has been a beneficiary for years of the various assistance from the Australia Border Force through donated equipment, capacity building, advise missions and outpour of your staff’s expertise and knowledge shared through the various forums of which our staff have been engaged in.
The official relationship between Samoa and Australia has turned into a never-ending partnership and this has been affirmed through the continuous working relationships and partnerships we have built through the years up to this very day.
We have again, this morning witnessed the generous support and assistance through various equipment, safety gear and uniform, modern tech gadgets. All of which will be of utmost importance in the Ministry’s line of work particularly in its mission to protect the borders and the country from illicit trade and people.
Through this juncture, I wish to reiterate and convey our sincere appreciation. Let me also acknowledge with utmost appreciate Inspector Michelle Bond who has worked diligently and liaised with our staff, and making this dream a reality for us. You have recently joined us in the island, yet, you have actively pursued the required work and reaffirm the partnership between MCR and ABF. Faafetai tele Lava
It is with great pleasure that I receive and accept these gifts and the kind donation from the Government of Australia through the Australian Border Force on behalf of the Government of Samoa and the Ministry of Customs and Revenue. I assure you that these will be of great help and will be put into great use for the Ministry’s border enforcement work and will be of utmost benefit to the people of Samoa.
The uniform and safety gear provided for the use of our staff will surely be a facelift to our professional appearance in preparation for CHOGM but also beyond. I believe these items will boost staff morale, confidence and commitment in performing their duties.
I urge the Management and staff of the Ministry to put these equipment, uniforms and safety gear into good and official use for the betterment of our services rendered within and out of the Ministry and Samoa.
Thank you once again your Excellency, Inspector Bond and through you, our sincere thanks and fa’afetai tele lava to the ABF and Government of Australia.
Fa’afetai, soifua ma ia manuia !!
Photo by the Government of Samoa (Pule Puleina)
