The Government has barred businesses and state agencies from using the Apia Town Clock to advertise in order to preserve the monument which recently underwent maintenance. 

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling confirmed that they no longer accept Apia's town clock being used for advertisement purposes. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Pulotu said the use of the clock tower is restricted to "acceptable activities" but the Ministry has put a stop to major branding that uses the national monument as background. 

“We have completed technical work for the clock and how it operates,” he added. “Those upgrade works are ongoing to maintain that asset of ours.” 

A notice from M.C.I.L. this week also forbids anyone from entering the Town Clock compound without the Ministry’s prior approval in order to ensure the safety, security and appropriate maintenance of the historically important government asset. 

“We have noted an increase in unauthorised access to and use of this property for commercial and personal purposes without seeking proper approval,” reads the Ministry's notice. “In order to ensure the security and safety of the town clock tower going forward including the removal of any unauthorised person(s) or parties we will be working closely with the Ministry of Police.”

For anyone wanting to access or use the town clock tower, the Ministry has asked that they direct all formal requests to their office which will be subject to approval guidelines in accordance with a Cabinet Directive.  

Last year Samoan combat veteran Toaalii Toafitu decried the use of the iconic town clock to promote commercial products describing it as being disrespectful to the war memorial. 

This follows several activities by the telecommunication company which saw the town clock getting painted to promote their business and awareness by the cancer society. 

In 2014 the Samoa Government carried out repair work which was undertaken by an Australian company due to the clock being damaged from banners and decorating lights put up during the Teuila Festival in 2013. 

The Government at the time said the repair work was costly due to difficulty in sourcing original parts and skilled experts to do maintenance work. 

The town clock also underwent major repair work in 2010 after it was damaged by Cyclone Ofa and Cyclone Val in 1990 and 1991.