Friday, 10th 2023
Good afternoon Samoa and welcome to another edition of our weekly briefing from Government.
I wish to start today with a note of thanks to appreciate with sincere gratitude all your prayers for my health and speedy recovery while away from Samoa in the last few weeks. Fa’afetai tele to all the church leaders, Government Colleagues, village councils and our people. I also thank our diplomatic community for your continuous support and commitment to Samoa’s development.
As alluded to in the last briefing from Government, we have resumed the R.S.E. program for seasonal workers to New Zealand and Australia this month, and we hope to only improve from hereon.
The Public Services Commission is continuing its review of Samoa’s workforce, hence the decision to freeze new and vacant positions for some officials until P.S.C. completes this reform. It is crucial that Government is well informed of the current status of our work force, in line with the Samoa Pathway for Development 2021/22 – 2025/26.
Cabinet this week discussed and appointed Afioga Afamasaga Fa’amatala Toleafoa as Samoa’s Head of Mission in Wellington. Afioga Afamasaga is a Former Diplomat with vast experiences in this capacity as in addition to serving as the Samoa Consular in Auckland in 1984, he was also Samoa’s Ambassador in Brussels from 1989 to 1997.
Cabinet has also appointed Hon. Afemata Palusalue Fa’apō II as Samoa’s Consul General in Auckland. Afioga Afemata is a Former Minister of Cabinet and Former Leader of the Tautua Samoa Party. He is a well – respected leader in both Government and the community.
Susuga Va’atuitui Apete Meredith has been appointed as the Trade Commissioner in Auckland. Va’atuitui possesses experience in this position where he was previously employed. He also served in many Government boards and as India’s Honorary Consul to Samoa.
To ensure that the preparation of frozen goods and fresh produce from Savai’i comply with international standards and costs of travels for Savai’i farmers to bring their produce to Apia are spared, Government has approved the renovation of the old Government copra warehouse at Salelologa, as a packing house for Savai’i. This project will be funded by Government and should complete in 6 months, while anticipating approved donor support for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ office and facilities at Salelologa.
The development of our young generations as leaders of tomorrow is continuing with scholarship opportunities not only from our donor partners, but also Government funding. Existing Government of Samoa scholarship schemes include scholarships for Education and Health programs at the National University of Samoa, as well as agricultural related studies at the University of the South Pacific, Alafua. This week, Government will also undertake a review of scholarships to ensure alignment to the human resource needs of the country going forward, discussed and approved scholarships for 40 students to study in New Zealand (11) and Fiji (29) at a cost of over $1.3 million a year.
This week, Cabinet also discussed and approved the purchasing of 30 new dialysis machines to improve our support for the increasing number of dialysis patients at the National Kidney Foundation. It is indeed alarming to note that there are now young people also treated at the Foundation. Government, while providing these machines for treatment, will continue to pursue, promote and encourage preventive measures through healthy living and healthy lifestyles.
Samoa and our diplomatic community, I continue to appreciate all your contributions and endeavours for the development of our nation. I believe that with God, and in unity and in the spirit of true friendship, we shall overcome all challenges and achieve our goals and aspirations for Samoa and its people.
Soifua ma ia manuia.
