Samoa government

Ex-PM says Samoa being 'hoodwinked' by NZ government

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern recently visited Samoa as part of the country's 60th anniversary celebrations.

During the trip Ardern announced that New Zealand would provide $15 million to support Samoa with its climate change priorities, and a further $12 million to rebuild Apia's Savalalo Market, which was destroyed by a fire in 2016.

Samoa govt appeal after police sergeant discharged without conviction in manslaughter case

Samoa Observer reported police sergeant Khamtahn Stanley and Ulugia Lomalasi Laufili pleaded guilty to a charge of causing injury to a 20-year-old male of Vaiusu who died days later.

In the Supreme Court on Thursday, private prosecutor Leinafo Taimalelagi-Strickland appealed the court's discretion to discharge the defendants without conviction.

She told the court, presided over by Justice Lesatele Rapi Va'ai, of the gravity of the offence and the advanced aggravating factors.

Samoan govt information channel turned off

The platform was built by private company Samoa Digital Company and broadcasters pay to use it at a cost of $US8,000 a month for commercial stations and almost $US6,500 for non-commercial community broadcasters.

Samoa Observer reports that an agreement between the previous administration and the Samoa Digital Company allowed the government channel on the platform free of charge.

Aust looking to make immigration from the Pacific easier

Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong revealed the proposed plan during discussions with Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa while in Samoa this week.

Wong said one of the issues confronting Pacific islanders keen on working in Australia is the challenge of moving with their families.

She told a joint press conference the Pacific Labour Scheme visa is a longer one compared to the 8-9 months visa issued for the seasonal workers programme.

Funding boost for victims of domestic violence in Samoa

The Chair of the group Georgina Lui said the grant was a strong recognition of the work the NGO does to eliminate violence among Samoan families.

In the past, SVSG received funding from other organisations but Lui said that with the grant given directly from the government, they can do much more.

"Fortunately for us, it's a broad spectrum grant," she said.

Samoa govt upset at allegations its seasonal workers in Australia mistreated

This follows media reports in Australia that some Pacific Islander workers feel like they are being "treated like slaves" as fruit pickers in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Programme.

In an interview with Radio Polynesia the Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo expressed disappointment after reading the news articles from Australia.

To date there are close to 2,000 Samoans in New Zealand and Australia under the seasonal worker schemes.

Samoa allowing limited international flights from today

This will include a flight deferred from 22 January due to a nationwide lockdown after multiple positive Covid-19 cases arrived on an earlier flight.

The first flight arrives today and is described as a "cargo only" from New Zealand.

The deferred flight, which will operate 12 February, is also from New Zealand and will carry "cargo and passengers both ways".

Cabinet also approved an Air New Zealand charter flight 16 February which is described as an "outbound RSE charter" to uplift seasonal workers only and is not permitted to carry inbound passengers.

Samoa govt confirms MIQ breach as another passenger tests positive

The government has also confirmed another positive case following the latest round of tests, a frontline nurse in isolation.

Samoa has 31 positive Covid-19 cases in MIQ, a majority who were passengers on a flight from Brisbane.

In a statement issued, the Government said that on Saturday afternoon, 29 January, the Disaster Finance Team from the Ministry of Finance reported to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) the sighting of a vehicle assigned to a quarantine site at an ATM near Fugalei market.

Samoa Government declares week of prayer and fasting

The programme which began on Sunday, is the first official national event of the year.

The week of fasting and prayer is set to herald the dawn of a new year and to seek God’s protection upon Samoa over the next 12 months.

Announcing the significance of the programme, Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said, “I am happy to announce that our week of prayer and fasting will begin on Sunday, 2nd January until the 7th of January, 2022,” she said. 

“2022 will mark the 60th year since we became an independent State.”

Samoa Government tables First Supplementary budget of $21.8 million tala

The Supplementary Budget was tabled by Finance Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o yesterday.

The budget amounts to $21,854,071 and will be financed through $19,472,807 in additional Grants as well as $4,671,359 in reshuffled existing expenditure items.

According to Mulipola, the additional expenditures requested have been “rigorously reviewed and reshuffled to allow existing expenditures of Government to be diverted to key priority developments.”