Samoa

Valasi said 40,000 doses are in stock and an additional 30,000 doses of booster doses are expected to be delivered in March.

“Vaccination is the only Covid-19 lifesaving antidote available,” Valasi told Parliament last week reports Savali newspaper.

Latest data show a high coverage of close to 100 percent of Samoa’s population have completed three vaccine doses including the 3rd booster.

Valasi said to date more than 94 percent of the eligible population have completed the two initial vaccination, complemented by 96 percent who have received the two booster shots.

The event was followed by a devotional service led by Rev Falefa Mae’e of the Lufilufi Methodist Church.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laauli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi commended the great efforts of the Member of Parliament of Anoama’a #1, Alaiasa Sepulona Moananu, in his leadership as well as supporting the government’s commitment to strengthening grassroots communities through agriculture and fisheries.

The Samoa Observer reports the 38-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter and one count of being armed with a dangerous weapon, through her lawyer.

Supreme Court Justice, Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma, noted the plea and adjourned the matter for the parties to prepare pre-sentencing documents by March 8.

According to a report received by the Police, initially the mother beat her 11-year-old daughter, who ran off and angered the mother.

This was confirmed by Acting Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, who said Cabinet has endorsed the continuation of the regional seasonal workers' programme from February.

He said for this month, the RSE programme will resume under the existing arrangement with Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL), and employers sending over 1200 workers to New Zealand and Australia.

The country has put a temporary suspension on its people working in seasonal jobs in Australia and New Zealand until a review is presented to Cabinet.

Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio, told Parliament last month New Zealand and Australia benefited more than the Samoan workers recruited under the schemes.

"We care for our people's well-being and how they are being exploited and not compensated well," Tuala said.

A new research project by Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland researchers and Pacific partners aims to investigate mental health challenges in Samoa, Tuvalu, and potentially Tonga as these countries navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.

In a statement Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Molio'o said petrol prices will drop by 31.2 sene litre from $3.35 to $3.03 per litre together with diesel and kerosene prices.

"Diesel will decrease by 44.3 sene per liter from $3.96 to $3.52 per litre and kerosene will decrease by 37.8 sene per litre from $3.49 to $3.11 per litre.”

Molio'o also said, "Whilst freight rates increase, the strengthening of the Samoan Tala versus the US$ had a favorable impact on landed costs.”

One Auckland man, who did not want his name published for work reasons, said Air New Zealand had rebooked him on a flight from Apia to Auckland on February 25, nearly a month after his cancelled flight on January 28.

He and his fiancee had been set to fly out at 1.50pm on Saturday, but received an email from Air New Zealand that evening, hours after the flight had been cancelled, saying there wouldn’t be any changes to it.

Minister for Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Va'ai, told Parliament a plan will go to Cabinet soon to purchase the cargo ship following discussions within the transport sector.

The Samoa Observer reports that Olo told Parliament the concerns raised by Members at the rising cost of living is attributed to freight charges over the last three years, going from as low as $3,800 tālā to just over $7,100 tālā for a 20-foot container.

A Government statement said the decision has been made to allow the Public Service Commission to conduct an investigation into the Division of the MCIL that leads and coordinates Samoa’s Labour Employment Export Programme.

“Apropos requirements of the Public Service Act 2004 and relevant government policies, the Public Service Commission will conduct the investigation and report to Cabinet urgently for its final consideration,” the statement said.