August 19, 2024
Monday, 19th August 2024 – The Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services (SPPCS) celebrated a significant milestone today with the official opening and handover ceremony of the Samoa Police Training Academy at Tafa’igata. The event was graced by the Honorable Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Members of the Cabinet, His Excellency Mr. Fei Mingxing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China, SPPCS Executive Members & Senior Management, and distinguished guests.
The ceremony commenced with welcoming remarks from the SPPCS Commissioner, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo, who expressed his gratitude to all partners and stakeholders for their support in making this project a reality. He highlighted the importance of the Police Training Academy in enhancing the capabilities of the Samoa Police Force and its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the nation.
The opening service was conducted by Reverend Dr. Latu Latai, who shared words of wisdom and offered a prayer to bless the occasion. Reverend Dr. Latai underscored the significance of the Training Academy as a place where future leaders and protectors of Samoa will be nurtured and developed. His invocation set a solemn and reflective tone for the event, reminding all present of the Academy’s role in upholding the values of service, integrity, and excellence.
In his opening address, His Excellency Mr. Fei Mingxing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China, emphasized the strong partnership between the Governments of China and Samoa. He noted that this collaboration, which began with the signing of the project agreement in 2018, is a testament to the deep and enduring ties between the two nations. Ambassador Fei highlighted the shared commitment to mutual development and cooperation, which has culminated in the successful completion of the Police Training Academy.
The keynote address was delivered by the Honorable Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, who spoke on the significance of the Academy for Samoa’s future. She acknowledged the longstanding development cooperation between Samoa and the People’s Republic of China, which has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. The Prime Minister noted that the Samoa Police Training Academy project was approved by the Cabinet nine years ago, on the 10th of June 2015. The implementation agreement was signed on the 26th of September 2018, with the project initially scheduled to commence on the 30th of April 2020. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant delays, with the groundbreaking ceremony eventually taking place on the 25th of October 2022. The project was successfully completed on the 30th of June 2024.
In her address, Prime Minister Fiame expressed profound gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their unwavering support and for making this long-held dream a reality. She also extended her thanks to the Shanghai Architecture Engineering Company Limited for their exceptional design work, as well as to the various Government Ministries and Agencies that cooperated with the SPPCS to ensure the successful completion of the project.
The Samoa Police Training Academy is a state-of-the-art facility, equipped with operational training rooms, a sports room, a track field, defensive driving grounds, a kitchen area, and 64 rooms to accommodate recruits. The CHOGM budget has provided for all furnishings, ensuring that the Academy is fully equipped to meet the training needs of Samoa’s future police officers.
The ceremony concluded with the official ribbon-cutting, jointly conducted by His Excellency Mr. Fei Mingxing and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, followed by the symbolic handover of the Police Training Academy key to Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo. Following the formalities, attendees were invited to tour the Academy’s facilities, gaining a firsthand look at the comprehensive training environment now available to the SPPCS.
This momentous occasion marks a new chapter in the development of Samoa’s police force, providing them with the tools and environment needed to excel in their duty to protect and serve the nation.
End of Release