Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A long-awaited bridge on the road connecting Maloata and Fagamalo was dedicated Thursday, Sept. 26, and is meant to ensure safer and more efficient travel between the villages.

 “The completion of this bridge has been a long-awaited achievement for the villages. After years of requesting a bridge, their needs have finally been met, greatly improving access to the villages,” Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga said.

The governor reflected on how difficult it was for residents to travel before the bridge was constructed “Heavy rains would cause the river to rise above the ford, making it impassable for days. This prevented people from going to work and children from attending school. For this reason, the government made every effort to ensure the construction of the bridge, prioritizing the well-being of the community, especially the children.” He thanked the different ASG Departments, the Fono, the villages of Maloata and Fagamalo for their patience and cooperation during construction which has made it possible for access between the villages to be safer and more convenient.

In the project description, Public Works Director Faleosina Voigt stated that the project involved installing a 36-inch diameter HDPE pipe on top of the existing ford structure as the crucial role as an extra layer of safety for the traveling public, especially during periods of high stream flow. The proposed improvements included the installation of reinforced concrete headwalls, wingwalls, and an inlet and outlet apron for enhanced scour protection. The project was finished in 210 calendar days, contracted to Paramount Builders Incorporated, with a total cost of $385,029.

Reverend Mataio Failauga of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) Fagamalo delivered the opening prayer and shared encouraging words from the Book of Romans: "If a man works, his pay is not a gift; it is something he has earned."

"Good work pays off. If you are a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay. But if you find the task at hand too difficult, you must trust in God for His guidance." He emphasized that their prayers have been answered with the successful completion of the project, concluding, "Whatever our role or job is, our leadership should align with God's calling."

As the District Representative, Speaker of the House Savali Talavou Ale noted that although their village is in a rural and sparsely populated region, he valued the government’s dedication to equitable treatment for all villages and districts in terms of infrastructure development.

 Ta'amu Vaigafa Iakopo, the right-of-way agent for Samoan Affairs, was the Master of Ceremony and welcomed the special guests present which included the Governor Lemanu, Lt. Governor La’apui Talauega E.V. Ale, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, Speaker of the House Savali, Fono members, Cabinet members, and residents of the Alataua District.