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Chief Justice moves into official "home"
By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi
•
20 January 2024, 11:00PM
Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese moved into his official residence in Lelata after a $400,000 renovation was undertaken by the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (M.J.C.A.).
This marked a significant achievement for the ministry as the Chief Justice now has an official residence for which the official unveiling of the residence was done on Saturday.
Chief Justice assumed his role in 2020 and had been living in a premise rented by the ministry.
Minister for Justice Matamua Vasati Pulufana explained that the residence in Lelata was vacated after the resignation of the late Chief Justice, Patu Tiavasu'e Falefatu Sapolu in August 2019.
She mentioned that the residence and its accompanying land were subsequently entrusted to the Samoa Housing Corporation (S.H.C.) by the previous administration.
However, upon assuming office in 2021 after the General Election, the current administration began exploring the feasibility of reverting the official residence, comprising both the house and the land in Lelata, to the care of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (M.J.C.A.).
Matamua highlighted that extensive discussions took place on this matter, and in October 2022, the Cabinet ultimately reached a consensus to return the property to the M.J.C.A. for the Chief Justice of Samoa.
The primary objective of this initiative, as emphasised by Matamua, is to acknowledge the significance of the Chief Justice's role as the head of Samoa's Judiciary.
She went on to elaborate that when the property came under the management of the S.H.C., the Corporation allocated $300,000 for renovations to both the house and the land.
Consequently, upon its reversion to the care of the M.J.C.A., a thorough inspection was conducted to assess its suitability for the Chief Justice.
Matamua indicated that additional renovation work was deemed necessary. This included the installation of a more secure gate, the provision of furniture, and enhancements to both the interior and exterior of the house and the surrounding land.
Matamua then revealed that M.J.C.A. spent over $400,000 tala on the renovation work that was needed for the official residence at Lelata.
She then expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister and Cabinet for granting the request from her ministry to return the residence and land back to the ministry to be used by the Chief Justice.
Lastly, Matamua then officially handed over the residence to Chief Justice Perese and his family.
In response, Chief Justice Perese told the special guests on Saturday that he believes the request to return the property to the ministry, as presented by the Minister, had been inspired by the spirit of God.
He holds the perspective that the Chief Justice's official residence in Samoa encompasses more than just a physical structure and parcel of land.
He added that when he first moved to Samoa following his appointment as the Chief Justice "there was no home" as the property had been placed under the care of S.H.C.
"When I first came, I knew there was no home for the Chief Justice," he said.
"I have been looking for a place to call home."
He then extended his sincere gratitude to the Minister of Justice, Matamua for taking the initiative to claim the house to its former status.
He added that he was aware many interested people wanted to rent the property, but for some reason, they couldn't.
"That is why I said that the initiative taken by Matamua was inspired by the spirit of God.
"And today, I want to acknowledge Matamua for the hard work she did in the background to make this a reality.
"After my time, this house will be used as the residence for the next Chief Justice of Samoa.
"This will always be the residence of the Chief Justice of Samoa."
By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi
•
20 January 2024, 11:00PM
