Samoa minister defends role of colleague's wife

Samoa's Minister for Prisons and Corrections Services, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, has no problem with the wife of his associate minister working as assistant chief executive of the ministry.

He told the Samoa Observer newspaper he did not see any conflict of interest.

He pointed out that Levao Rosa So'oalo was already working at the prison before he and associate minister So'oalo Mene were appointed to Cabinet.

He said she was loyal, trustworthy and honest.

And the minister said he would stand his ground on So'oalo Mene remaining as his associate minister.