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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – American Samoa
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Friday, September 14, 2007)
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Gov. Togiola travels on MV Sili to inspect
dredging work at Ofu Wharf
click here to see more pictures
(OFU, MANU’A) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today arrived in Ofu, Manu’a aboard the MV Sili to inspect the completion of the first phase of maintenance dredging of the waterway at Ofu wharf, which was inaccessible when seawater sediment silted the harbor as a result of Cyclone Olaf in February 2005.
The $2 million project was awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to McConnell Dowell on December 8, 2006, and includes work on both Ofu Harbor and Tau Harbor.
Both harbor projects include dredging of berthing areas, channel entrances, turning basins and breakwater repair.
Governor Togiola joined Port Administration Director Matagi Ray Mailo McMoore and MV Sili Captain Wally Thompson on the overnight trip from Tutuila for the first docking of the vessel at Ofu wharf in two-and-a-half years.
“This is a great day for the people of Ofu and Olosega, who waited patiently and endured the inconvenience of the MV Sili not being able to dock at the wharf in Ofu, and therefore not being able to fully receive the much-needed surface transportation between all the wharves of American Samoa,” said Gov. Togiola. “For the past three years, while planning the dredging of Ofu Harbor and actually getting the job done, we have resorted to the MV Sili anchoring out at sea and then shuttle passengers and cargo through the use of small boats to the wharf.”
Governor Togiola said in providing a viable system of surface transportation between Tutuila and the Manu’a Islands, the MV Sili resumption of full service operation to Ofu Wharf is a great blessing for the people of Manu’a.
“I want to say thank you to the people of Ofu, Olosega and Ta’u for persevering while we worked on the harbor in Ofu and Faleasao,” said Governor Togiola. “Yes, we have air service available, but this is an important alternative means of transportation that allows both a convenient and an economical way for carrying passengers and freight between the islands.”
While inspecting and assessing the wharf facilities, Governor Togiola said he was very pleased with the major work that was performed at Ofu Wharf.
“I am very happy with the dredging of the harbor and it was a great feeling to ride into the channel entrance and see the depth of the harbor and then finally dock and observe bustling wharf activity,” said Governor Togiola. “This is a great sign that the MV Sili plays an important role in keeping all the islands of our Territory connected in making the transportation of goods and products and other cargo possible and very economical.”
“MV Sili is ideal for ocean service to Manu’a and I hope our people will use the opportunity to travel and visit Manu’a,” said Governor Togiola. “MV Sili is here, and the Manu’a wharves are open, so it’s time to promote true inter-island travel in American Samoa. Here today, gone to Manu’a.”
Governor Togiola expressed his gratitude to former Port Administration director PC Tuitele Fofo Tuitele for being part of the start of the project, and also current director Matagi Ray Mailo McMoore, and HC Fanene Vitale Sooto and the staff of the Port for the great job that they continue to do, and also to Captain Wally Thompson and his crew for making it all possible to link all of the islands of the Territory through surface transportation.
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