The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration, Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa
launched the new uniform for Samoa Immigration at a ceremony held at the Ministry’s main
office this morning. The new uniform includes a full set for both male and female
immigration officers, rank slides, an identification badge, and an official cap.
Prime Minister Fiamē welcomed this initiative and acknowledged the partnership between
the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Pacific Immigration Development
Community (PIDC) that funded the uniforms. The PIDC is a regional organisation that gained
legal entity status in 2015, and subsequently established its headquarters in Apia in 2016.
The Organisation has 21 member countries including Australia and New Zealand. Samoa is a
permanent member on the PIDC’s Management Board.
“The essence of having a uniform epitomizes unity and identifies a group or an organisation
that works together for a common goal. And while that is important, having a duty bound
workforce with a result driven spirit for the betterment of society, are of greater
significance”, says the Prime Minister. She encouraged Immigration officers to be more
vigilant in the performance of their prescribed duties at the borders. “The new uniform is
their armour and a constant reminder to all who will don this uniform, about their calling to
safeguard Samoa’s national borders”, added Prime Minister Fiamē.
Chief Executive Officer, Agafili Tomaimanō Shem Leo reiterated the need for stronger
strategic focus and well-coordinated immigration work at the regulated ports of entry to
ensure national security, safety of travellers, and timely identification of transnational
crimes.
The new uniform will help enhance visibility of Samoa Immigration at the borders, as part of
its preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that
Samoa will host in October 2024.