Samoa govt

Samoa Govt seeks community unity over abandoned babies

Faimalotoa said now was not the time to point the finger, but rather the community needed to address a "mortifying and inhumane issue".

The discovery of two abandoned babies over the space of a month has raised public outrage and a call has been made for the establishment of a 'baby hatch' programme by the National Council of Churches, the Samoa Observer reports.

The minister said there had been consultations with relevant ministries and organisations including police, the Samoa Victim Support Group and the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development.

Samoa govt plans to build new national rugby stadium

Manu Samoa beat Tonga 25-17 in their Pacific Nations Cup opener on Saturday, but the game was almost called off before kick-off, with the playing surface resembling a mud-bath following heavy use during the Pacific Games and significant rain in the Samoan capital.

Samoa's Minister for Sport, Loau Keneti Sio, said the pitch at Apia Park is built on swampy land and agreed it was in need of an upgrade.

He said the government wants to build a new home of rugby on the other side of town and the sooner the project can get underway the better.

Samoa asks China for robotic "sniffer dogs"

The Revenue Minister, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt told the Samoa Observer newspaper the government has made the request to the Chinese government.

Tialavea said the request came as part of efforts to combat drugs being smuggled into the country from the neighbouring territory.

He said border authorities currently had the use of two sniffer dogs based at Faleolo International Airport.

The minister said dogs were like humans and needed to rest, which is why the government was looking at using the robotic "sniffers".

Plea to help struggling Samoa tourism operators

The Samoa Observer newspaper reported the Minister of Tourism, Sala Fata Pinati, has also urged government to ask all financial institutions to hold off taking legal action against these properties until a solution is worked out.

The minister did not name the properties for which he was seeking financial relief.

Earlier this week the Development Bank of Samoa notified that the Orator Hotel and Moanalisa Hotel were to be sold at auction later this month.

Samoa govt says PM's medical check in NZ precautionary

In a statement the government said the checkups in Auckland will be precautionary, on the advice of doctors following initial tests at Moto'otua Hospital in Apia.

The statement quoted the prime minister saying there was no need for the public to be overly concerned.

He said he was looking forward to returning home with a clean bill of health.

 

Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia Samoa's PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi