Certification milestone for Ulia Construction Ltd.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 15 March 2018, 12:00AM

One of Samoa’s Construction companies, Ulia Construction Limited and Ulia Certified Concrete, located at Fiaga Aleisa, yesterday celebrated a milestone becoming a certified ready mixed concrete plant. 

Terrence Batten, of Auditing Engineer Batten Limited, signed the one-year certification. During the celebration attended by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Government officials and members of the business community, Mr. Batten congratulated Ulia Certified Concrete.

 “My role as an engineer is to check the performance of the plant engineer and check all of the processes required to make a good concrete production,” said. Batten. 

“My role is to check how this is done, why was it done this way and the accuracy of what has been done. 

“All in all today’s performance I’ll give A+, all because of the performance of Ulia and the way he’s going about the production of company, well done and congratulations.”

Owner and President of the Company, Ututa'aloga Charlie Ulia, said the certification process was not an easy task.

“Attaining certification took more than a year,” he said.

 “It was a challenging pathway but we tried and we have succeeded. I want to thank my village of Afega, my families and friends for all the support.”

The concrete business is only part of Ulia Construction’s focus. The company has steadily grown over the years, having won tenders to carry out a lot of road works.

One of its current projects is the ongoing drainage works at Savalalo.

But yesterday was not about the challenges.

It was a day of celebration for Ulia Certified Concrete.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa congratulated the company.

“This is an achievement of not just for Ulia Construction but also for Samoa,” Tuilaepa said. 

“Receiving certification with New Zealand standards in Samoa is an accomplishment, given that Samoa emulates how Australia and New Zealand build their houses as well as road construction in terms of concrete.” 

The Prime Minister reminded how tropical cyclone Ofa and Val in the 90’s and the aftermath revealed how weak concrete was used back then.

“Even the brick houses were ripped apart and this led to Samoa establishing a building code standard for any new house to be in compliance to assure the families are safe during cyclones.  

“The strongest cyclone Samoa encountered was Val where it reached 175miles per hour, yet in the Philippines they have had hurricanes up to 300 miles per hour. 

“This means the hurricane will continue to strengthen.”

Prime Minister Tuilaepa said this is why Samoa needs good quality cement.

 “Thank you for persevering, not many people can achieve what you are celebrating today and that is because you are brave,” Tuilaepa said. 

“This will also help the government in its infrastructure projects as the government depends solely on local companies.”

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 15 March 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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