Congregational Church of Samoa

The general secretary of the Congregational Christian Church, Vavatau Taufao, has challenged Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to admit the government's finances are in a poor state.

The two have been embroiled in a war of words for more than a month after the government introduced a law requiring church ministers to pay tax.

Reverend Taufao told the Samoa Observer that the government was seeking extra revenue sources because it can't control its spending.

He also questioned the cost of the recently upgraded international airport.

The station had incurred losses since its launch four years ago and the conference looked at a recommendation to either shut it down or lease it out.

A source at the conference told RNZI’s correspondent that it was decided not to allow outsiders to buy shares in the television but for the church to continue holding 100 percent of its management and funding.

The news has been welcomed by the 21 paid staff who were worried about their jobs.

The television gets an annual donation of $US180000 from the Council from the Council for World Mission.