Builder flees with 108K of public funds

A builder contracted to build a district council administration office in Savaii was paid $108,000 more than a year ago. He has allegedly absconded without doing any work. The district council for Salega No.1 deposited 90 per cent of the construction project costs to KJA Constructors owned by Afualo Lelea Fauatea in January 2023. The district council is taking legal action against the builder for alleged breach of contract. In the meantime, the builder is working in American Samoa and despite being requested to return to Samoa to commence the project, he has failed to do so.

E.P.C. investigates electrocution

The Electric Power Corporation is investigating a recent incident involving a linesman who was electrocuted and is now in hospital. The public has been asked for their support by refraining from sharing commentaries on social media while the investigation is underway. The linesman was reportedly electrocuted while working on a powerline a few meters from the Moto’otua National Hospital.

Mother and daughter share story collection

A Samoan mother and daughter have helped publish a collection of extraordinary stories from Pacific New Zealanders. The book is called, ‘Shaping Pacific Place Aotearoa New Zealand’. Edited by Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop and Amanda Lanuola Dunlop, the stories are by 20 writers from all walks of life from the mid-1940s to the present day.

Qualifications for prisoners 

Nineteen men and women will leave Tanumalala Prison with internationally recognised certificates after completing vocational training in plumbing and food handling. Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo said the certificates marked an improvement in the confidence of all the programmes’ participants, which is one important aspect of rehabilitation.

12-year-old shot dead in his sleep

A tragic incident in which a young 12-year-old boy was shot while asleep, has gripped the village of Salelavalu, in Savaii. The suspect who is a 29-year-old from the same village has been apprehended with the murder weapon by the Police and charged with one count of murder. More charges could follow said the Police Commissioner. It is alleged that the suspect had been involved in an extra-marital affair with the boy’s sister and that the boy had informed his father.     

Fire damages poultry building 

A fire ravaged the Frankie Tanumalala poultry farm a week ago where chicken feed and cartons were stored. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga suspects a cigarette sparked the fire. The firefighters managed to stop it spreading to other buildings on the farm

Tahiti sink Samoan hopes

Tahiti has scored a late winner to make it 2-1 at the OFC U16 Men’s Championships in Tahiti to deny Samoa a semi- final spot. Samoa finished third in Group B and will meet the Cook Islands in the play off for 5th place.    

Manu Samoa to sit out November tests

Lakapi Samoa has dropped the ball for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere tour by withdrawing its participation citing major financial constraints. A letter penned by Lakapi Samoa chairman, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to the chairman of World Rugby has confirmed Samoa’s position. This withdrawal means Samoa’s last international engagement will be the Pacific Nations Cup which kicks off in three weeks.

Man jailed for 17 years for raping sisters

The Supreme Court has condemned the actions of a man who dragged two girls who were sisters into the bushes where they were raped on separate occasions. The accused is a 37-year-old man from a rural village. He has been sentenced to 17 years in jail after he was found guilty of charges of rape connected to three separate incidents. The two young girls are 11 and 15 years old.

Wife still in the dark on how husband died 

Vaeve’a Sa’uila La’ila’i Faumuina, the Electric Power Corporation linesman who was electrocuted, has died in the Intensive Care Unit at the Moto’otua Hospital. He was 47 years-old with a wife and four young children. His wife, Matalena Faumuina said she has not been told by the EPC what caused his death. A doctor at the hospital had told her that her husband’s heart had stopped when he was first bought to the hospital, but they were able to revive him and his vitals were ok so he had been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit.

Sailing team ends Olympic journey

Samoa’s sailing Olympians have concluded their journey at the Olympic Games with Eroni Leilua placing 42nd and Vaimo’oi’a Ripley placing 43rd in their respective races in Marseille, France. “Our ancestors were once voyagers and navigators of the sea and I am just the modern day version,” said Leilua. He believes that the Pacific people have been under represented in sailing but his dream is to change that.    

170 graduate in vocational courses

Hundreds of family members and friends filled the National University of Samoa gymnasium to celebrate the success of family members who had attended the Australia Pacific Training Coalition. The certificates meet Australian-standard qualifications in various technical and vocational courses such as construction, plumbing, hospitality, commercial cookery, drainage and others.

Child protection law in pipeline

A proposed law protecting Samoan children from practices harming them is currently in its drafting stages. The Child Care and Protection Bill aims to promote the well being of children, and protect them from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. The Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, Matai’a Meritiana Fepulea’i said the Bill is still in its draft form with ongoing consultations with key stakeholders.

Tafaigata Police Academy to open this month

Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo said the Police Academy will open later this month. Adverse weather and a lack of workers were the reasons given for the delay in completing the work. Despite these setbacks, Auapa’au has revealed plans to have the academy certified as a regional training centre with backing from Australia, New Zealand and the United States as well as local educational bodies like the Samoa Qualifications Authority and the Australia Pacific Training Coalition.  

Collusion warning 

Allegations of collusion between districts and suppliers on purchasing items under the $1 million grant and voters reselling tools received from the scheme have prompted new changes. They include prohibiting vouchers to purchase home appliances for families and diverting the funds to community-based initiatives. Other changes will see the granting of the purchase of heavy machinery for road works but a stringent policy is in place for such proposals requiring a lot of paper work.

Britain helps with youth funding

The British High Commission has provided significant funding to develop youth leaders for the Samoa Victim Support Group. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain acting through the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the Samoa Victim Support Group was signed by the Acting Deputy British High Commissioner and the SVSG president. Part of the grant is to support the SVSG youth leaders in mobilising local and international youth during the Commonwealth Youth Forum in October.

Two jailed for gang rape

Two men have been jailed for raping a single mother who was heading home from shopping for her mother in a rural village. Feuao Fata Roketi and Faaiuaso Piula Tuivanu were sentenced by the Supreme Court after they pleaded guilty to the rape of a 23 year-old woman.   Roketi received a sentence of 12 years because of a previous conviction and reoffending pending another case, while Tuivanu was given six years for an early guilty plea, a clean record, service to the community and his parents being church ministers. Tuivanu has also been banished from the village.

New Zealand visa charges to rise

Samoans hoping to visit families in New Zealand or apply for the many visa categories will pay more as visa fees will go up as much as 50 per cent from October this year. This follows an announcement from the New Zealand government that the increase is to “improve the immigration system to ensure it is efficient, self funding and sustainable.” The Immigration NZ Office in Apia has come under a lot of scrutiny from Samoans due to delays in processing online visa applications and the lack of face-to-face communication.

Pacific concludes Paris 2024 with one silver

The Olympic Games has closed in Paris with the Pacific managing only one silver thanks to the Fiji men’s sevens rugby team who lost to France in the final. Fiji shared 74th position on the medal tally with Cyrus, Jordan, Mongolia and Panama. New Zealand claimed 10 gold, seven silver and three bronze medals finishing 11th.

Extension for second $1 million grant 

A total of $23 million for the second $1 million development grant has been disbursed while $800,000 from the first grant is under investigation. There is also a further extension on the timeframe to allow districts to access the public fund.

Champ of Champs cancelled        

Despite the cancellation of the Champ of Champs for this year, the six colleges competing in the Zone A athletics competition at Apia Park did not let this stop them. Anoamaa, Avele, Leifiifi, Vaimauga, Samoa College and Palalaua fielded athletes while Papauta Girls College attended, but did not have any athletes competing. In the Girls Divisions, Samoa College was first in the Juniors, Anoama’a in the Intermediate and Leifiifi in the Seniors.

Football CEO status confirmed

After more than a month of speculation, the departure of Galumalemana Ronna Lee as the Chief Executive Officer of Football Federation Samoa has been confirmed. FFS President, Papalii Samuel Petaia said they will be advertising the vacant position and hope to have it filled by December. Galumalemana was appointed to the CEO position in January with a three-year contract that started in February but the contract was abruptly ended in June with Papalii saying the issue was private. The Federation’s Technical Advisor Ravinesh Kumar is currently the Acting CEO.          

Vodafone gets CHOGM contract

Vodafone Samoa was awarded a contract of more than $500,000 to provide internet for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and they will be investing more than $20 million to improve connectivity. Vodafone Samoa Chief Executive Officer Rana Bose said it was an honour to be selected to offer this service. The Tenders Board also approved the Media and Communications Subcommittee could use other telecommunication companies to assist as back up.

Axing decisions shocks coach

The Manu Samoa Sevens Head Coach, Muliagatele Brian Lima says he was shocked and disappointed by the decision to prematurely end his contract. Lakapi Samoa Chief Executive Officer Falemavaega Vincent Fepuleai confirmed the decision to terminate his contract and that of the Sevens’ management team on Saturday. Muliagatele said the termination letters were served to them on the day they travelled to the Olympics.

Samoa beat Fiji in T20 opener  

Things are looking bright for the Samoa men’s team as they defeated Fiji by nine wickets in their first game of the T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia Pacific Qualifier A on Saturday. Samoa is yet to face the Cook Islands and Vanuatu.

NZ asks for 1250 workers

The coalition government in New Zealand has announced significant updates to the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme which includes an increase in the worker cap and improved conditions for participants. This reflects New Zealand’s commitment to supporting both domestic industry needs and its Pacific partners. The cap on the number of workers under the RSE scheme will rise by 1,250 bringing the total to 20,750 for the 2024/2025 season.

U.N. boss visits this week

United Nations Secretary- General, Antonio Guterres will be in the country for three days as he begins visits to the Pacific Islands and East Asia. His visit will focus on climate change in the country.

L.T.C. bills on house agenda

A bill to amend the Constitution and make changes to the Land and Titles Court Act to revert the court structure to its status quo by removing the three-tier court system will be tabled on Tuesday in the House. The Constitution Amendment Bill 2024 and the Lands and Titles Bill 2024 will be presented to the Legislative Assembly for its first reading by the Minister of Justice, Courts and Administration, Matamua Vasati Pulufana.

Builder lawyers up

A builder, who was paid $108,000 to construct a District Council Administration Office in Savaii, and still hasn’t done so after a year, has obtained a lawyer for a lawsuit against him. Afualo Lelea Fauatea, owner of KJA Contractors is represented by Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio. The matter has been adjourned until 16 September for the defendant to file the statement of defence.

Export authority law passed

The legal letter to establish the Samoa Export Authority intended to drive the export market was approved by the Legislative Assembly this week. It was tabled by the Minister of Public Enterprises Leatinuu Wayne So’oalo under a certificate of urgency. It was subsequently debated in the House and endorsed by the Assembly to become law.

Samoan cricketer smashes world record

Samoan cricketer, Darius Visser broke a world record for the most runs scored in one over in a T20 match as he smashed six sixes in a 39-run over. His dominant performance had him making 132 runs off just 62 deliveries against Vanuatu. Darius also won Man of the Match. The 28 year-old, with a Samoan mother and a Sri Lankan father said the highlight of his cricket career was playing for Samoa on home soil.

“I have seen god in everyone here” 

The process for the ordination of the Archbishop-Elect, Father Moses Vitolio Tui began with an ava ceremony at Saint Theresa Tofamamao, Leauvaa on Wednesday. It was a vibrant occasion as Catholics from Samoa and all over the world gathered including priests from the Vatican at Leauvaa to celebrate an important event for the Catholic Church in Samoa. Upon receiving his ava, Father Mosese expressed his gratitude to everyone. “Who am I? For the past few days leading up to this event, I have seen God in the wind, our surroundings, our families and also our Archdiocese. You’ve all been doing so much despite your financial circumstances…”

Samoa demolishes Fiji by 73 runs

Samoa defeated Fiji in their second meeting at the T20 World Cup Regional Qualifiers by 73 runs at the Garden Oval Tuanaimato on Wednesday. Samoa plays Vanuatu, Fiji and the Cook Islands twice. To date, Samoa’s only loss was to the Cook Islands.

Japan gifts us$2.4 million mobile clinic 

A new mobile dental bus will strengthen dental services in the country after a long period of neglect. The US$2.4 million mobile dental clinic project has been in the pipeline for over two decades. It will now make dental care accessible to schools and rural communities. The Minister of Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele paid tribute to the Government of Japan who has been assisting Samoa’s Dental Service for many years with visits by dental specialists, technicians and with dental care.

100 years of rugby in Samoa

The Lakapi Samoa officially opened their 100 year celebration with a mass at St Theresa of the Child Jesus in Lepea on Sunday evening. Former and current players who played for the national side attended the mass, as well as Samoans who had represented other nations. Next on the celebration itinerary will be a parade through Apia then Manu Samoa will play Tonga at Apia Park on Friday. About six hundred former and current players have been named at the celebration.

One UN house officially handed over

The Government of Samoa officially handed over the newly-completed wing of the One UN House in Tuanaimato to the United Nations. Held on Friday, the event was aligned with the arrival in the country of the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment highlighted the significance of the new wing in facilitating a unified approach among UN agencies to meet national and regional development goals including those of the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.

Double murder suspect remanded

The 58 year old man of Fasitoo-uta facing two murder charges including the death of a senior police officer has appeared in the Supreme Court. Pokati Tuu, also known as Pokati Faataui has been in custody since he was captured after a police hunt following the death of two men. Police reported the defendant allegedly murdered a Nofoalii man on a Sunday and he shot Sergeant Perite who was carrying out the investigation on the Monday.

Church suspends priest and deacon

A priest and a deacon have been suspended by the Catholic Church pending an internal investigation into allegations of the clergymen’s involvement in illicit drugs. The allegations against the priest and the deacon surfaced in July following the charging of a Don Bosco student for allegedly having possession of methamphetamine at school. The police reported that the student was carrying the drugs for someone he later alleged was a teacher at the church school. Police confirmed they have not received an official complaint alleging the involvement of the religious leaders in a drug-related case.

Six vie for new ministry top job

Six applicants were short-listed and interviewed for the position of Chief Executive Officer for the new Ministry of Sports and Recreation. The applicants include the heads of divisions and C.E.O. of the Samoa Sports Facility Authority which was merged with the new Ministry. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has been operating from the Aquatic Centre at Tuanaimato since its official launch in July.                   

Boxing coaches deny misconduct

Two Samoan coaches who attended the OCBC Youth and Junior Championships in Tahiti are facing serious scrutiny following a complaint against them. The complaint was lodged by the President of the Fiji Amateur Boxing Association Panapasa Daunakamakama. The complaint alleges the coaches’ behavior negatively impacted a 19 year-old female boxer from Fiji prompting a need for an investigation. In response, Samoa Boxing Association President Papalii Tagaloatele Poloa said the coaches have denied the allegations saying their actions were merely sign language and facial expressions.

First female of Samoan heritage in US open

Destanee Aiava has made history as the first female tennis player with Samoan heritage to make it through to the U.S. Open Singles main draw. The 24 year-old, representing Australia, powered through three matches of straight-set victories in the main draw, qualifying in New York to secure her spot. Born and raised in Melbourne, Destanee’s mother Rosie was born in American Samoa and played rugby for the Wallaroos. Her father Mark was born in New Zealand to Samoan parents and competed as a power lifter.

Five charged with embezzlement

A general manager for a local hardware company and four other employees were terminated and charged with theft following the discovery of embezzlement of almost $100,000 from their employer. The former employees of Bluebird Lumber and Hardware branch in Saleufi are jointly charged with theft as a servant for the business’s missing funds. The three women and two men are alleged to have worked together to cheat the company’s system.

Manu Samoa impressive in Tonga victory

Manu Samoa demolished Tonga 43-17 in their second Pacific Nations Cup game at Apia Park, keeping alive their hopes of a semi-final spot. Mase Mahonri Schwalger expressed his disappointment that the team had not followed the game plan but was happy to take the win on the occasion of Lakapi Samoa’s 100-year celebration.