New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon cut the ribbon to officially open Samoa’s new Flea Market in Savalalo on Monday.
The total cost of the building was $30 million tala with New Zealand Government contributing $20 million and Samoa the balance.
One of the features of the new market is that it will be fully powered by solar energy, a first for Samoa.
Samoa Prime Minister Laauulialemalietoa Leauatea Schmidt said the solar panels can produce up to 200 Kilowatts, which is self-sufficient and more than enough to service the whole building at any time.
The flea market’s maximum solar power use is expected to be around 120 kilowatts per day.
The PM said 80 kilowatts of the produced energy will not be used, so the surplus power can be transferred to the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) for additional income.
The Prime Minister told vendors that the government has provided them a safe, clean, modern and resilient building so that their enterprises may flourish. It is up to them to take care of their new home.
The new flea market was built by Zheng Construction Company Limited and the project manager was Tinai Gordon and Associates Company Limited.
