Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa told Parliament yesterday that Samoa was not threatened by the illegal entry of the American Samoa vessel, Kite Runner, last April.
She emphasized the importance of border security to a nation, including Samoa, adding that the illegal entry of the Kite Runner was a wake-up call for Samoa Government officials and those in high positions to be vigilant, alert and to carry out their duties in good faith and honesty.
Fiame said complications surrounding the boat arose after the crew misunderstood the actions of the Salelologa port officials upon their arrival in Savai’i.
According to the PM, authorities at the Salelologa wharf were not notified of the boat’s arrival on April 26, so they called the police in Savai’i and all the crew were taken to the police station for questioning.
An urgent meeting was then convened the next day, April 27. Fiame said that all the relevant government ministries and agencies, including the Samoa Port Authority, Health, Immigration, Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections Services, were present.
It was learned at that meeting that the Kite Runner did not have an “outward clearance” from its last port before entering Samoa’s territorial waters.
According to Fiame, the “outward clearance” certificate was received via email from American Samoa, afterwards.
It was only then that authorities were able to carry out clearance and other checks, as well as get all other documents needed before allowing the boat to travel to Savai’i.
The PM added that the crew indicated that they needed to pick up people who travelled from American Samoa by plane to attend the family funeral at Salelologa in Savai’i.
She said the Kite Runner only had a ‘cruising permit’ initially, but was later given “special permission” to enter the ferry terminal ports by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure which allowed it to sail to Salelologa.
