“At least $1 million was collected from fi nes. However, giving false information to Authorised Offi cers is still an issue” – Parliament report
The Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) has been told to monitor Road Construction companies to ensure the quality of their work withstands bad weather conditions.
The order is among eight key recommendations made to the Authority by the Works, Transport and Environment Committee in a report to Parliament for the Financial Year 2010.
A copy of the report has been obtained by the Samoa Observer.
Chaired by Associate Minister and Falealili M.P., Tusa Misi Tupuola, the Committee includes Afoafouvale John Moors (H.R.P.P) as Vice Chairman, Levaopolo Talatonu (Tautua), Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi (Tautua), Peseta Vaifou Tevaga (H.R.P.P), Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster (Tautua) and Fagaaivalu Kenrick Samu (H.R.P.P).
The Committee "recommends (to) the Authority to monitor the performance of the successful Road Construction Contracts, to ensure the achievements of quality performance, to minimize expenses on road maintenance with regards to torrential rain and heavy load trucks,” the report reads.
The Committee also urged L.T.A to reconsider the “reduction of speed humps” around the country since the road switch period is well and truly over. “The Authority should also continue its Awareness Program on road signage, in order to assist traffic transport,” the Committee says.
“Road signage also should be both in English and Samoan version.”
According to the Committee, the Authority’s total income in 2010 was $47,253,268 with total expenses of $42,578,037.
“At least SAT1 million was collected from fines,” the report said. “However, giving false information to Authorised Officers is still an issue. Motor vehicle registration income is also increased due to the increase in numbers of vehicles.”
The Committee’s report was debated and approved in Parliament during its last sitting.
Here is the report in full:
6. Findings
The Land Transport Authority was established by Act on July 1, 2009 where it came into existence as a fully functioning and legally independent from the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure. It is operated and managed pursuant to the provisions of the Land Transport Authority Act 2007, and it constitutes its functions and statutory roles.
The establishment of the Land Transport Authority is the latest of major reforms of the Government on its Plan for Departmental Arrangement. The objective is to improve and compile coordinated planning and regulation of land transport, leaving the planning and regulation of other transport modes with the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
Its service is divided into five Divisions which include:
− Executive; − Road Operation in Upolu;
− Programming and Procurement;
− Road Use Management; and
− Savaii Operations.
The Supporting Division includes the Finance & Corporate Services.
The Authority is funded through its annual budget and internal generated revenue collected from vehicle registration, drivers licensing and fuel levy (3 cents per litre).
6.1 Other Challenges faced with Authority:
Road Switch:
The planning and implementation of the Road Switch was conducted by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure prior transferring to the Authority. The Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Police & Prisons continue assisting the Authority with this project once it was established. Infrastructural work includes changing parking allotments, reconfiguration of traffic lights, marking of all main roads and construction traffic signals. Road humps in Upolu and Savaii were constructed by the Road Construction Contract through public tender.
Tsunami Disaster (September 29, 2009):
The Authority lead the recovery program through ensuring that access to the disaster area was cleared within hours just after Tsunami. The Authority also constructed new inland roads for residents relocated to higher areas.
The project was funded by the Government of Samoa, World Bank and financial assistance provided by other Donor Agencies. The Authority confirmed the impact of its budget at that period.
Authorized Traffic Officers:
The recruitment of Authorized Traffic Officers came into effect on 12 April 2010. They were appointed pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 of the Road Traffic (Payment of Fines) Act 2009, and are responsible for enforcing the law on minor road offense.
At the start of the Switch, the Authority was able to conduct in-house trainings in partnership with the Ministry of Police and From front page Prisons.
6.2 Capital Works and Minor Works:
Capital Works include newly constructed village access roads, seawalls and reconstruction of main roads in Upolu and Savaii. Within the year under consideration, 18 villages in Upolu and 11 in Savaii were successfully chosen.
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These projects were funded under the budget allocated for Capital Works after approval of the Tender Board, Land Transport Authority Board and Cabinet.
Currently, the Authority plans to set standards and requirements for main roads constructions, with an intention to improve the quality of tar quality of tar sealing and solid drainage to support and sustain road, the good quality of roads. The Authority also considers appropriate conditions for Contracts to comply with, in order to minimise road maintenance. These conditions are also part of requirements when considering tenders.
The Committee noted that, these projects were implemented when road constructions were all tendered out to the private sector. The Authority focuses on recognising only qualified Road Construction Contracts with regards to the quality of performance. The Authority also confirmed that most of these Contracts aimed to upgrade and improve their performance for them to be considered and be prioritised in future public tenders.
Village access roads have separate conditions whereas all applications are through the Board prior submitting to the Cabinet for approval. These projects were also funded under Community Services Obligations (CSO). According to the Project Conditions, the Government builds the road and the villages are responsible to maintain drainage.
Minor Works include:
− constructing & clearing drains;
− constructing, upgrading & painting speed humps;
− road maintenance; and − constructing cross roads;
− surface crack repair; − Bridge maintenance;
− repair and install road signage; and
− clearing and road maintenance patches
The Committee during its site visits witnessed the good progress of these projects.
6.3 Statement of Accounts:
The Authority’s Total Income in 2010 was SAT47,253,268 while Total Expenses is SAT42,578,037 which resulted with a Surplus of SAT4,675,232. Most of the Expenses were for the Special Projects Costs at a total of SAT9,909,638 and Road Maintenance Costs at SAT28,984,846.
The total Term Deposit of SAT4,034,666 at the Samoa Commercial Bank, was the remaining balance of costs for Capital Works. It was the decision of the Board to deposit at the Bank, to await the completion of these projects.
At least SAT1 million was collected from fines. However, giving false information to Authorised Officers is still an issue. Motor vehicle registration income is also increased due to the increase in numbers of vehicles.
The Committee noted that the Authority now complies with the Cabinet Directive which ceases payment of Board Members Sitting Allowance and other related expenses at a total of SAT80,592 in the Year under consideration.
6.4 Committee Visit; (i) Upolu:
The Committee was able to visit some of the ongoing projects underway at Malololelei, Tiavi, Siumu and Safata on 16th May 2013. The project is divided amongst the successful tenders including Ott Transport, Lucky Transport, Ulia Transport, Toleafoa Transport and Silva Transport.
Only part of the main road at Malololelei and part of Tiavi were completely constructed by Ott Transport. The Committee witnessed with appreciation the quality of road constructed based on standards and requirements set by the Authority. More importantly is the appropriate measurement of width to control speed and the construction of drains to support torrential rain.
The Committee also witnessed that part of the reconstructed road at Malololelei was illegally constructed on a private land at about seven metres across the boundary. The Committee appreciates the Authority in considering properties or land owned by our people. The Authority now concerns with any future claim for compensation by the owner of the land even though it is already provided in its Investment Plan.
The Committee recommends that the Authority should consider the quality standards of road constructions for the successful tenders (Road Construction Contacts) to comply with, in order to sustain their best performance and be trusted to be prioritised in future Road Construction Projects.
The Committee witnessed the good control and management of ongoing projects. The Authority also has a control on its Expenditures and allocation of its capital works. Road maintenance is now part of the requirements of newly constructed roads unlike the past years. It is an idea to minimise expenses.
(ii) Savaii:
The Committee visited the Authority’s ongoing Routine Maintenance Program in Savaii on 16 August 2016. These areas include Asau – Faletagaloa, Faletagaloa – Patamea and Patamea – Tuasivi. It witnessed the good condition of roads in Savaii and the Authority continues monitoring the safety of roads for public transport.
7. Acknowledgement:
The Committee wishes to acknowledge the Board and the Management for the achievements within the period under consideration, especially the ongoing projects which the Committee had witnessed during its Visits.
The Committee also wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to the Chief Executive Officers and the Management for their valuable contributions and support during its deliberations. For without their support, the Committee would not be table to compile its Report.
8. Recommendations:
Based on its findings the Committee recommends that the Government:-
1. Recommends the Authority to monitor the performance of the successful Road Construction Contracts, to ensure the achievements of quality performance, to minimize expenses on road maintenance with regards to torrential rain and heavy load trucks.
2. The Authority should work closely with the Samoa Water Authority and the Electric Power Corporation in constructing maps of underground electricity lines and water pipe lines to avoid road destruction when relocating underground electricity lines and water pipelines.
3. Conducts public awareness program on the community’s role in maintaining village access roads. Having the public to play their role will save public funds.
4. Considers Dealer Plates which illegally used by some Car Dealers to register their sold cars.
5. Recommends the Board and the Management to consider the registration of vehicles in order to ensure the compliance of registration requirements for the safety of road transport.
6. Reconsiders reduction of speed humps as road switch project is smoothly continues. The Authority should also continue its Awareness Program on road signage, in order to assist traffic transport. Road signage also should be both in English and Samoan version.
7. Recommends the Authority to submit its Annual Reports to Parliament in compliance with the Act.
8. Conducts staff training to improve public relation skills with regards to receptionist’s role, as the Committee noted public concerns and complaints to the Authority
. 9. Resolution:
At the conclusion of its consideration, the Committee resolved to recommend to the Assembly:- That the P.P. 2012/2013 No.73, Annual Report of the Land Transport Authority for the Financial Year ended 30th June 2010 be approved. Tusa Misi Tupuola Chairman
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