In a gesture of support and solidarity, the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 officially handed over sets of polo shirt uniforms to the Samoa Immigration Office. The uniform will provide an alternative uniform for Immigration Border Management officers during the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Apia from 21st to 25th October, 2024. The donation of the polo shirt uniforms is part of PIDC’s commitment to its members in enhancing border security and operational readiness.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Head of Samoa Immigration, Agafili Tomaimanō Shem Leo, expressed his gratitude to PIDC for their continued support. The CEO added that the uniform will certainly provide a unified and professional appearance for Immigration agencies, boosting morale of Samoa’s Immigration frontline officers.
This uniform was provided through funding from Australia specifically for PIDC’s advocacy and communication programme for 2023 – 2024. PIDC has been able to engage different mechanisms to raise PIDC’s profile, encourage collaboration, and support ongoing partnership between its members and other regional and international organisations and partners in border security. All funding support from PIDC’s donor partners and members have continued to enable PIDC to respond to its member countries’ priorities over the years.
PIDC Head of Secretariat Mr Akuila Ratu with CEO Agafili T. Shem Leo and Immigration Team Leaders with the PIDC staff at the hand over briefing.