"Praise goes back to the heavenly father for making this possible for me and for using myself to take on this role and I pray to him to continue to guide me and provide me with the knowledge and the strength I need for this role," said Tuitoga. "As the new C.E.O. I basically started my working life at the Public Trustees Office.

"Now I have been appointed to this high role, the job itself we do here is to sustain the estates as well as administer wills and trust funds and we tend to keep it on track with the law and policies that have already been aligned for doing that.

"But I will also try and make sure that we feel for the people and carry out our responsibilities with love for the people of our nation but also in line with the law and guidelines."

As part of the office's community work, they also manage trust funds for infants, minors and persons of unsound mind as well as oversee lands and trust funds. The Public Trustees Office is a public trading body owned by the government.

Samoa Shipping Services General Manager, Tafesilafa'i also told this newspaper that as the new boss, he will look at more opportunities for local sailors as well as overcome some of their challenges.

"All responsibilities and appointments are from god and so we thank him back and give him all the praise for these opportunities to serve our country and families," he said. "Whatever little knowledge I have I will use with all my best to serve and I also would like to thank the Prime Minister and the government of the day for putting their trust in me.

"As the new C.E.O. I will look at more opportunities most especially for those that have already been blessed with sailing opportunities."

The Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and her Cabinet were present at the ceremony together with the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaleto'a Sualauvi II and his Deputy, Le Mamea Ropati Mualia.

Fiame, on behalf of the government, congratulated the newly sworn-in top bureaucrats on taking their oath and encouraged them to serve their public offices with honesty.

"The opportunity to serve your country through C.E.O. positions is indeed a milestone accomplishment for your careers as public servants," she said. "This is a proud moment for your families and villages, and for all of us. 

"Your oaths this morning attest to the essence of your service to our country, ethics and values, and the need for god’s divine guidance and counsel in the performance of your duties. 

"Let that be at the forefront of your leadership as C.E.O. Our vision is to work collectively to foster social harmony, safety and freedom for all. We should be committed to accomplishing what we have set out in the Pathway for the Development of Samoa to empower our communities, build resilience, and inspire growth. 

"The global challenges facing us to date are complex and multifaceted. Climate change, heightened geostrategic and geopolitical tensions around the world, food security, health crises, and transnational crimes have reached unprecedented levels. 

"For a small country like Samoa, our planning, implementation and monitoring of national development initiatives and programmes, must be meticulous and realistic. Our collective approach ‘is to live within our means’. In this regard, Cabinet and I value your policy advisory support, and your leadership in executing your prescribed roles and responsibilities.

"As custodians of public offices, it is our esteemed duty to exercise care, fairness and integrity in the way we conduct service delivery. It is our responsibility to respond to the needs of our people, in accordance with the laws and policies of the government. Above all, it is our fervent commitment to serve Samoa with true humility and with love. May the grace and the abundance of God’s blessings be upon you all."