Folks, the truth is simple enough. 

All this talk from some of our leaders about the negligence of others, God, the truth and justice sounds all so hollow. 

We say this for the simple reason that we have a government that is telling everyone to be honest, talks about justice and mentions God ever so frequently when we know very well that little has been done to address the issues of collusion and corrupt practices in the public service that are hurting our poor people.

This corruption is screaming at us to be fixed. Now. Please.

Ironically, these very same people have been calling others negligent, dishonest – among other very colourful words. 

Okay so they might have a point but seriously. The nerve! 

Let’s not try and remove the speck on another person’s eye when there is log there that needs to bulldozed out so they could at least see clearly.

Indeed, when we stop to observe some of the latest comments thrown back and forth by our leaders, it’s hard not to say that maybe there is a method in thy madness. 

Maybe there is a deliberate ploy to sidetrack and divert the attention so far away from the fact that public servants had colluded to defraud public funds, to the tune of millions. 

In this country today, we have some real problems. There is no doubt about that. 

Our foreign debt has skyrocketed through the roof to the point where we should be really concerned. The major banks and some of our biggest funders have been warning us for years. 

How long more will we continue to ignore them?

Our economy is struggling. 

Exports figures are shoddy, tourism number look very worrying and the agriculture sector doesn’t exactly give us much hope either.  

And yet it just baffles the mind that no effort is being made whatsoever to try and recover – let alone hold public officials to account – for the abuse of power and positions we are well aware of.

Such abuse has cost this country millions. In one instance, more than half a million tala was spent on a lousy office that now its there useless.  This is money that could have been used to pay for medical supplies, more doctors, better teachers and help some of those poor families who basically live on the streets to make a tala or two to get by. 

If we talk about honesty, isn’t it time that this ridiculous decision to spend that much money be dealt with?

Wouldn’t that be justice? 

And if we continue to ignore it, who is negligent then?

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re talking about unbridled abuse identified in the Chief Auditor and Controller’s report that have since been confirmed by the Officers of Parliament Committee. 

“Documentary evidences” have been presented to prove that public servants had indeed colluded to defraud public funds. 

What more do they want? 

Perhaps they need a message from heaven?

Keep in mind that these are just some of the many issues raised by the O.P.C and the Chief Auditor in relation to the performance of some government bodies.

How could Parliament ignore these things? 

We repeat, we have a government that continues to blame the world for our problems to the point where the blame game has become so ridiculous. 

But why has it not stopped to consider the impact of these instances of wrongdoing and abuse on our finances? 

Perhaps now is the time our Parliament and government make a serious effort to address these pestering snags staring at us unblinkingly in the face. Ladies and gentlemen, these cannot be ignored. It’s impossible.

Have a wonderful weekend Samoa, God bless!