P.M. rejects claim about lack of trust

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 02 December 2016, 12:00AM

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has rejected claims he lacked confidence in the Minister who held the Police portfolio, Sala Fata Pinati,

Asked about his decision to take over the Police, Tuilaepa told the Samoa Observer the decision is legitimate. 

“It has returned to how it was," he said. 

"The reason was provided in the release that was given to be published.”

In the press release from Press Secretariat it pointed out that the “responsibility for Samoa Police had traditionally fallen under the purview of the Prime Minister. 

“The decision to change these portfolios and return oversight of Samoa Police back to the Prime Minister, reaffirms the importance placed on law and order and in keeping Samoa a peaceful nation.” 

Asked whether it’s because “his children” (police officers) only listen to him, Tuilaepa insisted “things are back to how they were now.”

He said there are charges against some Police officers subject to pending investigations. 

As for fears about frictions withing the Force, Tuilaepa said there was nothing there anymore.

"It's as if a burden has been lifted," he said.

“These days are like that, the reason why there are problems is because people cause them but our country is a peaceful one.”

 Minister Sala has taken on the Audit Office and Samoa Bureau Statistics in addition to being responsible for Samoa Tourism Authority, “which is key to government’s socio-economic development, and the Samoa Public Trust Office.”

 The Audit Office and Samoa Bureau of Statistics had previously been housed under the portfolio of Minister Lautafi Selafi Purcell, who still retains a hefty portfolio that includes the Ministry of Public Enterprises and Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour.

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 02 December 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>