Fiame. La’auli at odds 

A Court decision to reinstate two members of the Opposition, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi to Parliament has been strongly opposed by La’auli Leuatea Schmidt. The two politicians were suspended by the House after a Parliamentary enquiry found the senior politicians were in contempt in connection to the 2021 political crisis. However Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa reminded all members to have faith in the law with the hope that the matter will be settled.

Valasi clears airs on dialysis charges 

The Minister of Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele has pointed to the increase in the number of patients needing treatment as the reason for the new fees for dialysis treatment. He explained that when dialysis treatments were introduced there was a designated budget of $5 million for nine patients. That number in Samoa alone is now over 200 patients and does not include the Samoans from overseas needing treatment while they visit.

Teacher shortage: A national crisis 

The C.E.O. of the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, A’eau Christopher Hazelman said 300 teachers were needed for all government mission and private schools. A’eau said he had sought help from employees in government ministries as well as pastors, reverends and their wives, especially to help with mathematics, reading and writing.

Samoa aims for Olympic spot 

Head Coach for the Samoan women’s national football team    Juan Chang Urrea, who is guiding the team to the Paris Olympics this year believes this is their time. Our vision is that we belong on the world stage, he said. Urrea has been involved in football in the USA, Guatemala, Spain and New Zealand.

Judge slams M.A.F. over paraquat issue 

Justice Vui Clarence Nelson has rubbished claims by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries that there is no evidence to ban the import of paraquat, In his letter to the Ministry, Justice Nelson asked why there had been no public consultations and why the judiciary had not been approached. M.A.F. responded that the consultants they had engaged, found no data to back claims by groups that advocate banning the weed killer.  

Suspension saga over 

The Court of Appeal has ordered the Parliament of Samoa to immediately pay the salaries of the suspended members, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi after an appeal by the Speaker was dismissed. The Speaker, Papalii Li’o Taeu Masipau was also ordered to pay costs of the respondents and the Supreme Court. The Bench of Justice Peter Blanchard, Justice Sir William Young and Justice Vui Clarence Nelson ruled that “the suspension had no basis in law and was accordingly void.”

Low intake into medicine 

It seems that the age-old doctor shortage problem will continue. Although it has been estimated that 100 new doctors are needed, of the eight who applied for the medical studies course at the National University of Samoa, only five were accepted. This means that the total number of students studying from the first year to the sixth is 45.

No evidence Starlink is a threat

The Samoa Information Technology Association says that Starlink services are cheaper than those offered by other telecommunication companies. The president of S.I.T.A. Leota Sarai Faleupolu-Tevita believes while there needs to be more evidence to say Starlink poses a threat to national security, the company has to follow the law and acquire the necessary license.

N.Z. urged to fix vas issues 

The Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters has been urged to tackle the challenge of Samoans seeking visitor visas to New Zealand. The call was made by the Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi during a courtesy meeting. Tuilaepa pointed out that some Samoans, especially the elders are not computer-literate, it is costly to go to a travel agent and the attitude of the people working in the Samoa office does not help at all. Vaovasamanaia said visa-free travel is under consideration.

Pacific nations can choose their allies 

The Pacific nations would seek assistance elsewhere if traditional allies like Australia and New Zealand fail to provide it, said the Leader of the Opposition, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. He referenced Japan and China’s valuable involvement in the Pacific, and added that when these countries step in to lend a hand, they should not be criticized.  

Old and outdated 

Frequent power disruptions, reportedly two to three times a week in Savaii are caused by old and outdated generators, many of which are forty years old. The Minister overseeing the Electric Power Corporation Olo Fiti Va’ai has assured stakeholders that plans are underway to replace the obsolete generators and the very expensive hired models.

School internet to be filtered

Concerns have been raised that students are using the Internet at school sites to go to other inappropriate sites. The Minister for Communication and Technology, Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo has assured the nation that an initiative is in place to control and filter websites not considered necessary for student learning.

Major fire disaster averted at S.N.P.F. Plaza 

More than 30 firefighters worked for several hours to put out a fire at the Samoa National Provident Fund Plaza on Monday night. There has been no official confirmation of how the fire started but it is believed that it started around 7pm.  

‘Slap on the wrist’ for meth importer 

A Customs Officer who was found guilty of importing methamphetamine was fined $3,000 but given no jail term because he was charged under the Customs Act, not the Narcotics Act. Pueleo Sefulua Peseta had worked for the Ministry of Customs and Revenue for four years and pleaded not guilty to the charges claiming he did not know the sender and was expecting other goods.

Olympic spot in sight for Samoa 

The Samoan Women’s football team has advanced to the semi-finals after a 2-0 win over Tonga. Having now won two out of three games, they are among the top contenders to go to the Olympic Games in Paris later in the year.

Deported and charged 

A seasonal worker, accused of rape who had fled the country to pick fruit overseas, has been deported back to Samoa to answer the charges. He is facing charges of sexual connection with a young girl who is a close relative. His name has been suppressed and he was refused bail.

University celebrates 40 years 

The National University of Samoa began with a budget of SAT$5 and 45 students, now boasts more than 3,000 students and has a budget of $30 million. The Minister of Education and Culture, Seuula Ioane said that from 1984 there have been 25,647 graduates including 10,537 Foundation graduates, 8789 Undergraduates and 6321 TVET graduates.

Taulapapa follows grandfather’s legacy 

The British Honorary Consul and former Attorney General, Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu has followed in her grandfather’s path after being awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Her late grandfather Taulapapa Dr Anesi was also bestowed the MBE for services to medicine in Samoa.

Police charge M.P.       

A Member of Parliament and former Associate Minister of Police, Fepuleai Faimata Sua, has been charged in connection to allegations of conspiracy to defeat the course of justice and fabrication of evidence. Fepuleai has been released on bail. He was recently stripped of his Associate Minister of Police portfolio after he flew to American Samoa without a boarding permit.

Mapusua’s job on the line 

Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua’s future with Lakapi Samoa is drawing to an end as his contract expires at the end of the year and already his post has been advertised. Lakapi Samoa’s decision comes after a dismal performance in the Rugby World Cup last year where with a team of 14 overseas-based players and one local, Samoa finished fourth in its pool.

$150K mystery 

The whereabouts of $150,000 in public funds for the salaries of staff at a district council office in Savaii remains a mystery and as a result, projects in the village have halted. The money was part of the $1 million district development grant and was allegedly given last year to the district council chair, who happens to be the Member of Parliament for the constituency, Magele Sekati Fiaui.

Samoa still on E.U. blacklist 

Despite assurances from the Chief Executive Officer of Samoa International Finance Authority,Tuifaasisina Sieni Tualega-Voorwinden last year, Samoa remains on the European Union’s anti-money laundering blacklist.

Magele denies hand in missing $150K

The Member of Parliament for Fa’asaleleaga No 2 and Associate Minister of Finance, Magele Sekati Fiaui has denied allegations of misusing $150,000 of the $1 million district development grant that was distributed last year. “The chequebook and how it was used on all the district projects was with the secretary of the district council committee since the beginning,” said the M.P.

Seasonal worker’s widow awaits answer 

A young widow and mother of two, Grace Merisa Ufi whose husband died in Australia in 2022 while is seasonal employment is still seeking answers to the cause of her husband’s death. Her husband’s fellow workmates described him having a panic attack and in the process of being rushed to hospital, he lost his life on the way. A postmortem carried out in Australia has not shed any light on the cause of Tai Avei’s death.

M.P. steps down as district chair

In a move aimed at expediting crucial development projects in Fa’asaleleaga No 5, M.P. Peseta Vaifou Tevaga has been asked to step aside from his role as chair of the District Council for 12 months. This decision was in response to a collective letter signed by the committee members.

Trouble at S.N.P.F.

The chairman of the Samoa National Provident Fund has been given seven days to respond to grievances and allegations from employees of the Fund over abuse of public office and disregard for established protocols. The letter signed by concerned employees paints a disturbing picture under Papali’i’s leadership.

Former Inspector charged 

Inspector Li’o Fa’ataumalama Auava who was dismissed for undertaking an unauthorized investigation at the behest of a Cabinet Minister, has been charged with fabricating evidence and conspiracy to obstruct justice. These charges are in connection with an unresolved hit-and-run case that claimed the life of Tu’uau Fa’asavalu in 2021.

N.Z measles threat 

With New Zealand standing on the brink of a measles epidemic, there has been a renewed call by Samoan health authorities to improve the measles vaccination rate. A 95 percent immunisation rate is needed to eliminate the measles threat. Currently for the first dose of the measles mumps and rubella (MMR1) stands at 92 percent with the second dose (MMR2) at 72 per cent.