By Staff Reporters
APIA, SAMOA – 29 JUNE 2023: The Vaisigano Bridge reconstruction completed in 2021, has won the 6th Japan International Construction Award this month. The bridge was funded by Japan at a cost of $44 million Tala and built by Konoike Construction Company Limited and the Central Consultant Incorporated.
The bridge won the Award for the Construction Project Category.
The Vaisigano Bridge is a vital transportation link that connects Samoa’s international wharf and the city, the central business district, the industrial zone and residents.
The original bridge was built in 1953, and having endured numerous natural disasters and sustained use over the years, it became structurally unsafe.
L-R Mr. Watatsu, President of KONOIKE, Hon. Saito, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ambassador of Samoa to Japan, Faalavaau Perina Sila- Tualaulelei, Mr. Nakata of Central Consult.
Representing Samoa at the Awards ceremony, Ambassador Faalava’au Perina J. Sila-Tualaulelei expressed Samoa’s gratitude.
“As we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Samoa and Japan this year 2023, I would like to seize this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Government and the People of Samoa, my sincere gratitude to the Government and the People of Japan and to JICA, for the assistance Samoa receives to support our development aspirations,” said Fa’alava’au.
“Samoa and Japan enjoy a warm and friendly relations and it continues to grow with renewed partnerships and strengthened engagement at the bilateral and also at the regional and international levels.“Japan is one of Samoa’s key development partners and the ongoing support provided by Japan as evident in this important infrastructural project and others, is a testament of the continuous close relations and the genuine partnership between our two countries.”
The Vaisigano Bridge contributes to enhancing Samoa’s climate and disaster resilience through quality infrastructure, to providing improved and safe transportation, promotes socio-economic development and to the achievement of our sustainable development goals in general.
During the construction of this project, the Japanese companies worked closely with the Samoa Land Transport Authority and Samoan companies, thereby fostering knowledge transfer and sharing and the upskilling of our officials and local contractors.
Executives of the Land Transport Authority on the bridge a few days before the opening in 2021.