Agent for Lady Naomi responds to criticism

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The Operations Manager of local agents for the Lady Naomi has reacted to a letter to the editor, highly critical, about the processing of incoming and outgoing cargo on the inter island vessel.

In an open letter addressed to Samoa’s Minister of Private Enterprises and General Manager of Samoa Shipping Services, the author with the pen name, Launiu Saelua, takes the local agent Polynesia Shipping to task for “unorganized operations that is very strenuous to the people that are, both, Samoan citizens and American Samoa families — who are trying to send cargo from Pago Pago to Apia.”

The letter states, “Lining up at 12pm and finally able to leave the wharf at 4pm is completely unnecessary, when manageable and possible improvements can be developed for the people.” (See Letters to the Editor)

The author suggests that a contract for a local agents be put out for bid or to, at least, instruct the local agent for “a more efficient and less painful operation for customers.”

Operations Manager for Polynesia Shipping, Kana Siafuafu, told KHJ News that the process on the inter p-island dock, as well as what happens, is dictated by government agencies. Namely port, customs, and quarantine.

She said, their company is the user but the system being used is set up by the government agencies.

She acknowledges that one of the obstacles is the limited space on the inter island dock, pointing out that the sheer volume of cargo that comes in and goes out on the Lady Naomi has outpaced the available facilities.

Siafuafu said, the letter of complaint comes as they’re making improvements to try and alleviate the long waiting on Lady Naomi days.

For example, last month, they set up different times for those picking up cargo and those sending cargo to come to the wharf. Seats were also set up in the terminal. “And things went smoothly,” she said.

People who went to the wharf when the new system started said that they were in and out in 15-20 minutes.

Ms. Siafuafu said, they’re not disregarding the complaints but wonders if the author of the letter had been to the dock since the changes were made.