Working with neighboring countries to develop ocean transportation services, and thereby expanding the marketing of American Samoa is among the recommendations cited by a government task force in its final draft of the Economic Development Implementation Plan (EDIP).

Ocean transportation is part of the ‘infrastructure’ to be developed for economic benefits being recommended in the report, which was released last week by the 16-member task force made up of nine members of the Lolo Administration, five from the private sector and one representative each from the House, Senate and Congressman Faleomavaega Eni’s Office.

NEIGHBORING ISLANDS

The task force recommends expanding the American Samoa market to include Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Wallis & Futuna and the Cook Islands. The action suggested to achieve such expansion is to initiate dialogue with local boat owners and the private sector.

Additionally, ASG “must seriously study the business model of the Samoa Shipping Corporation and the policies (i.e., subsidization) of the Samoa government towards sea transportation and the use of donated boats from donors.” (Samoa Shipping Corporation is the Samoa government entity that operates passenger ferries and boats.)

“Also, study how... Samoa trains sailors and navigators,” the report said and noted that the Samoa government ferry that operates between Mulifanua on Upolu island and Salelologa on Savai’i island, is efficiently operated by skilled crews, who are Samoa trained.

(Samoa News should point out that the U.S. Coast Guard plays an integral role in certifying skilled crews for such operations. Currently there is Maritime Training Workshop set to  begin next week for local residents who own small boats so they may be able to obtain the Uninspected Passenger Vehicle (UPV) license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, which will certify them to transport at least six passengers or fishermen.

The USCG certified maritime training, which runs for two and half weeks, is being coordinated by locally based Pacific Marine Services & Maritime Training, whose general manager is Rep. Su’a Alexander Eli Jennings.)

PAGO PAGO HARBOR

The report recommends development of a Pago Pago boardwalk plan — which has been on the drawing board for a long time — as well as developing the ancillary business structures. Additionally, development of the marina with services and access to accommodate different types of users is recommended. (Marina development has also been talked about for years).

The task force stressed the importance of Pago Pago Harbor, since 90% of all the food and produce consumed and the household provisions purchased for American Samoa come by ship into the Pago Pago Harbor.

In addition to the cargo implications, the Pago Pago Harbor also provides access and space for ocean related activities, such as fishing, sailing, cruise ships, and commercial business activity due to its location in the central business district. The harbor also supports development to create sea-land transportation for the marina, longliners, recreation fishing, and support systems to access and utilize the natural resources in the Bay.

MANU’A

Ocean transport, according to the task force, is the foundation to any development of the socio-economic development of the Manu’a Islands. And in order to be effective the service must be appropriate, reliable, dependable, and consistent.

It says that Port Administration Department will review the business models that either worked in the past or were unmitigated failures. Additionally, study the business model of the Samoa Shipping Corporation which at least has a regularly scheduled — reliable, dependable, consistent — service between the two Samoas.

Among the recommendations in the report is for the continued use of the MV Sili while a new passenger vessel is being acquired. (Samoa News should point out that Port Administration already plans to purchase a new vessel to operate between Tutuila and the Manu’a island group).

Also recommended is to spread the operating costs of a new vessel over a variety of uses and routes, provide comfort, business viability for multi-uses of cargo, passengers, and vehicles. Furthermore, Port Administration is to partner with a private company that can apply cost-effective commercial practices to the operation of the service, while Port provides the stability of government to the joint venture.

Another recommendation is to purchase a new barge for Manu’a and Aunu’u to remove all scrap metals and other recyclables to be eventually shipped to New Zealand or Asia. Additionally, increase economic activities in Manu’a through economic development and growth based on the improved transportation service.

OTHER ISLANDS

The task force recommends reviewing the sufficiency of quantity and quality of boats for Aunu’u island.  (Private alias are currently operating ocean service for Aunu’u)

For Swains island, the report says the “highest priority”  is to develop a reliable boat service to the remote atoll.  The action suggested to achieve this goal is to procure the Fo’isia for Swains and other destinations; and dialogue with Samoa in sharing the service of their Samoa-Tokelau passenger ferry.

Another infrastructure  improvement recommended in the report is air service development (see last Friday’s edition for more details.)

Later in the week, Samoa News will report on other areas of economic development cited in the report.