The Samoa Government is in discussions with the World Bank to finance the building of a bridge linking all its four inhabited islands.
Minister of Finance Sili Epa Tuioti told Parliament during his final supplementary budget address that government started dialogue with the World Bank almost four years ago.
Samoa Observer reports that Sili said plans are being actively considered by government.
“It is worth mentioning that it is about time the government considered seeking assistance from the World Bank to construct a bridge from Upolu to Manono, Apolima and Salafai,” he said.
He said the project was discussed four years ago and at the time the World Bank was not interested.
“That has changed and at our meeting last year with the World Bank it appears there is a chance they can fund this huge project,” said Sili.
Such a bridge had been advocated by many members of Parliament from Savaii in the past but had not been taken seriously until now.
Late last year an ad in the Samoa Observer sought support for a nationwide petition advocating for a bridge traversing the nearly 30 kilometers of sea between Upolu and Savaii.
The advertisement indicated that the bridge would cost more than $ST1 billion to build.
While it was not clear who was behind the call for a bridge, a contact in the advertisement indicated it may have come from the political advocacy group Samoa Solidarity International Group.
Minister Sili said World Bank had taken into account Samoa’s long term strategic plan till 2040 when considering the project anew.
