Village ban

The Samoa Observer newspaper reports Malie village has ordered at least three billboards removed and put a ban on any new ones.

The three billboards ordered down belonged to candidates from two parties opposing the ruling HRPP.

A source present at a village meeting convened on Monday, told the newspaper that families were warned to take down the advertisements after the village heard that the candidates allegedly did not ask for permission from the council before erecting them.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi met a matai delegation from the village council, who offered an apology and urged that government reconsider the ban.

The government measures included banning the village rugby team from taking part in any district or national rugby tournaments and disqualified villagers from the Recognised Seasonal Employers Scheme in New Zealand.

Talamua Online reported that more than 15 village chiefs from Luatuanu'u led by the MP Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo met with the Prime Minister last week and asked for forgiveness.