Port security upgrade underway

Crew from Nana’s Construction at the worksite on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012 at the now demolished port security gate at the main dock at the Port of Pago Pago. Nana’s Construction was awarded the contract to upgrade the port security equipment and facilities at the Department of Port Administration, which includes the main dock and the Tafuna airport. [photo: FS]

Local Department of Homeland Security says work began Monday this week to upgrade the port security equipment and facilities at the Department of Port Administration.

The upgrade includes improvements to surveillance cameras and public announcement capabilities, as well as to upgrade communication equipment and properly equip port staff and security personnel in support of the department’s day-to-day operations and emergency response capabilities.

In a news release, ASDHS said the most visible part of the project is the demolition of the security gate at the port’s main entrance, and building a new security point.

The old security building at the main entrance was made of wood and the structure was rapidly deteriorating.  

The new structure is being constructed of concrete block, and will be fortified to last much longer. The new main gate will also be controlled from the security building.

During the construction period, the main gate will be closed and all traffic in and out of the main dock will go through the west gate next to the fuel dock.

Besides the improvements to port facilities in Fagatogo, the upgrade project will include improvements to radio equipment at the Pago Pago International Airport.

Funding for the port improvements is being provided through the federal Port Security Grant Program which is administered by ASDHS.

Construction is being done by Nana’s Incorporated, which was the sole bidder on the project. The contract calls for the work to be completed by March 3, 2012.

Source: ASDHS news release