Samoa’s Cabinet has assigned $4.6 million tala from it’s budget line of unforseen expenditures towards the full renovation and restoration of the deteriorating ceilings of the Milinuu Courthouse.
Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt made the announcement at his recent Christmas eve press conference with local media.
The Prime Minister said Cabinet had received disturbing reports about the deteriorating state of the Courthouse building with leaking roofs.
The deteriorating courthouse ceilings has become a significant issue, with visible water damage from leaking roofs, posing serious safety risks including falling debris.
The Prime Minister said Cabinet has prioritised the allocated funds to ensure the complete restoration of the Courthouse ceilings (toe fausia atoa o le tauāluga o le Maota o le Fa’amasinoga i Mulinu’u).
Samoa’s Mulinuu Courthouse opened in January 2010 as a “state-of-the-art” facility that consolidated all judicial branches into one complex, including the Supreme Court, District Courts, and the Lands and Titles Court, as well as Administrative offices for the Ministry of Justice.
The project was entirely funded through Chinese government assistance as part of a larger multi-million tala aid package that also included offices for Parliamentarians at the Mulinu’u peninsula
The building has since faced significant maintenance challenges over the years with reports highlighting severe structural issues, including leaking roofs, falling ceiling pieces, and faulty air conditioning units that caused water damage in Courtrooms.
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa said the Chinese Government have pledged $200,000 tala towards the renovations.
Earlier this year the Chinese government had funded much needed renovations to the Chief Justice’s Chambers as well as Courtroom No.1
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa says the $4.6 million tala restoration project will start with professional engineers to advise the work that should be prioritised within the allocated budget.
It is intended that full restoration will be completed by the end of 2026.
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