SAUNOAGA AUTU a le afioga i le Minisita o Galuega, Felauaiga & Atinae Eseese – Hon. Olo Fiti Afoa Vaai [Aso10 Aperila 2025]
Your Excellency, Aliona Niculita, the Resident Representative of UNDP Samoa Country Office,
Your Exellency, Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador, Government of Japan
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am indeed extremely privileged and humbled to address this important ceremony for the handing over of the much needed and immensely valued e-truck and charger to support the administration of TTM Hospital Oxygen Plants services and transportation of oxygen cylinders from our main oxygen plant here to other health facilities both in Upolu and Savaii.
I believe this electric-truck is one of the e-vehicles procured under the Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport project implemented by the Government of Samoa through the leadership of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure in close partnership with UNDP and funded by the Government of Japan.
The procurement of this electric-truck is increasingly important for oxygen plant administration due to their potential to reduce emissions, lower operating costs and improve air quality, especially in areas where oxygen plants often operate.
I applaud the fact that this is the first time ever that this electric truck has been specially manufactured and reconfigured to cater the need of MOH, for a specialized truck to transport oxygen cylinders from the TTM Hospital Oxygen Plant to rural health facilities.
Most importantly, it is Samoa’s commitment to expected outcomes of the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2021-2026 in placing emphasis on Samoa’s efforts towards decarbonization and enhancement of health services provision.
On behalf of Samoa government and its people, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to UNDP and Government of Japan for your never-ending support. This handover is another good example of how we can continue working together and fostering our partnership in finding solutions for challenges that confront the health of our people on a daily basis.
I have no doubt that this pivotal assistance, will go a long way to save lives and improve the quality of life of all our people, by ensuring sufficient oxygen supplies to all health facilities in Samoa.
To this end, I would like to reiterate my deepest appreciation to our development partners who had kindly provide this assistance for us, not forgetting our local counterparts who had worked together in facilitating and negotiation of such important assistance to support the provision of quality and safe health support services for our people.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to celebrate with you this addition of e-vehicles provided by UNDP and Government of Japan through Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport project for Samoa, and look forward to receiving more e-vehicles in the coming years, and continue to receive more support from our partners to promote health and wellbeing of our people.
Soifua ma ia manuia.
