The Samoa government's Tenders Board has endorsed the single source selection of a local law firm to carry out legislative drafting on the Samoa Trust Estate Corporation. 

The Capital Legal Network has been tasked to review the Samoa Trust Estate Corporation (S.T.E.C.) in relation to its legislative drafting. 

The Ministry of Public Enterprises Chief Executive Officer – as a member of the Cabinet sub-committee assigned to look into the restructure – confirmed the engagement of the company. 

"The Tender's Board on the advice of S.T.E.C.'s Restructuring Committee has endorsed a local consultant, Capital Legal Network, LLP to undertake this work," said C.E.O. Elita Toala.

She added that work is in progress to finalise the cost of consultancy work and the contract is yet to be executed. 

According to a letter from the Tenders Board to the Ministry's C.E.O. dated 26th August 2023, it noted the single source selection of a legislative drafting consultant for the S.T.E.C. The letter made reference to a virtual meeting on 28 August 2023 with the Tenders Board that approved the work. 

"To approve the request by the Ministry for the use of the Single Source Selection method to recruit a Legislative Drafting Consultant to Review the Samoa Trust Estates Corporations (STEC) Act 1977 and other relevant Legislations to Implement the Restructuring of the STEC to incorporate Export Functions," the letter reads. 

"The Ministry should commence negotiations with the selected consultant and report back to the Board the results for consideration and a final decision." 

The S.T.E.C. was restructured in 1990 under the STEC Act, which requires it to carry on its operations, “with a view to the privatisation of its enterprise by disposal or otherwise."