Cabinet has upheld a recommendation from a selection panel to appoint Tafesilafa'i Ipiniu Filipo as General Manager for Samoa Shipping Services for the next three years. 

The appointment by the Cabinet was confirmed in a statement released to the media by the Press Secretariat's office on Thursday evening. 

Tafesilafa'i was among the five candidates who were interviewed for the top position at the S.S.S. and he was "highly recommended" by the selected panel, according to the statement. 

Having served as an Assistant General Manager for the last five years, Tafesilafa'i now takes the helm of the Government agency after the former general manager resigned to run in the 2021 general election. 

"From 2013 to 2018, he was the A.C.E.O. for Regulatory and Consumer Services at the Office of the Regulator. Tafesilafa’i graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Banking and Finance."

The 40-year-old father of three is married and hails from the village of Falefa. He takes up the position from Lautimua Uesele Va'ai who is now the Member of Parliament for Vaimauga No. 3. 

The statement issued by the Press Secretariat also confirmed the appointment of Lemalu Selesitina Meni–Reti as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF), as earlier reported by this newspaper. 

"Lemalu was formerly the SNPF Deputy CEO for Treasury and Services and was also the Manager of Finance for over five years. Lemalu is bringing to the SNPF wealth of experience in international and regional accounting and financing from her years of employment in regional organizations. 

"Lemalu was employed at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community as the Financial Development Officer for over three years, before taking up the role of Internal Auditor for SPREP in 2012 and then Management Accountant. She was also employed at the Ministry of Finance and the Samoa Electric Power Corporation. 

"Lemalu holds a Master's in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Management from the University of the South Pacific as well as a Diploma in Public Sector Management from Massey University, New Zealand. Lemalu hails from the village of Matautu Lefaga."