Samoa government

Afamasaga Faauiga Mulitalo is the new CEO for the Ministry of Women and Community Development.

Galumalemana Taatialeoititi Agnes Tutuvanu-Schwalger is the CEO for Land Transportation Authority.

Fualau Talatalaga Mata’u Matafeo was sworn in as CEO for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

The new CEO for the Ministry of Finance is Leasiosiofaasisina Oscar Malielegaoi while Magele Hoe Viali is the CEO for the Ministry of Works, Transport & Infrastructure.

Samoa Airways is scheduled to take delivery of the Max 9 in April.

However, the Minister of Public Enterprises Lautafi Selafi Purcell has told Newsline Samoa that they cannot afford to do that now.

His statement came after the weekend crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Max 8 which resulted in the deaths of 157 people.

Five months earlier a Lions Air Max 8 also crashed, killing all on board.

Lautafi has shared his safety worries about the new aircraft with Samoa Airways.

European authorities have suspended flights involving both the Max 8 and Max 9 planes.

The Attorney General’s Office said a formal police investigation was launched 6 June 2018 by the Ministry of Police Criminal Investigation Division, in view of a complaint alleging corrupt practices by a Government CEO.

A statement said the records of the allegations were sent to the Attorney General and received 5th June 2018. After consideration it was referred by the AG to the Police Commissioner, with a recommendation that a criminal investigation commence immediately given the nature of the allegations.

This is about a deal which would both help Samoa reestablish its own national flag carrier, and provide work for Fiji Airways, including increased aircraft utilisation.

Shaenaz Voss, Fiji Airways Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs, confirmed an agreement in principal. But she said they were unable to release further details yet.

“We have an agreement in principal with the Samoan Government to assist them with support for their new national airline,” she said.

“The exact nature of this support is still subject to negotiation.”

This week weightlifter Ele Opeloge was finally presented with her silver medal from the 2008 Beijing Games, which she won belatedly after the silver and bronze medalists from the event were disqualified for drug cheating.

Opeloge was also presented with a gift of over $US15,000 dollars raised from the community through the Samoa Observer newspaper, after the government stated they only give financial rewards to gold medal winners at international events.

Opeloge said it felt as if the government underestimates her achievement.

The weightlifter won Samoa's first Olympic medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, after being upgraded to silver when two competitors were disqualified for drugs.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said, last month, the government's policy was to only offer monetary awards for gold medal winners.

Sports Minister Loau Keneti Sio said that policy would now be revisited.

The weightlifter was upgraded from fourth to second place in the women's over 75kg division at the 2008 Beijing Games, after two competitors were disqualified for drugs.

The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, said last month the Government's policy was to only offer monetary awards for gold medal winners.

A fund to raise money for the 31-year-old  has been setup, which has been backed by the Presidents of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation and the Samoa Association of National Olympic Committees.

Bhimantara Widyajala, Executive Director of ADB’s Board of Directors and representing the Government of Samoa, and Xianbin Yao, Director General of ADB’s Pacific Department, signed the grant for the Samoa Fiscal Resilience Improvement Programme in a ceremony at the ADB headquarters.

“The ADB assistance aims to reduce the vulnerability and boost the resilience of Samoa’s economy to fiscal and climatic shocks,” said Yao at the signing event. 

The Prime Minister, who is also Police Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi tabled the amendments saying it aims to speed up the process because a commission of inquiry takes too long.

Tuila'epa is also the minister for the newly established National Prosecution Office and is seeking similar amendments in its legislation.

Tuila'epa said the grievances within the police are the main reasons for his push for amendments.

1News is reporting that Duco Events and the Samoan government have come to an agreement which will see Samoa advertised as a tourist destination during the broadcast on December 10.

There will also be Samoan branding and other international publicity for the small island nation, 1News reported.

Duco Events had approached the New Zealand government about getting Major Events funding for the fight, before withdrawing the application due to a backlash from the public.

Auckland's major events fund then pulled their backing for the fight last week.