Administration of government costs $9.14million per annum

The Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, is the highest paid official on the land, according to documents obtained by the Samoa Observer.

With a base salary of $183,855 and allowances of $20,000, taxpayers spend a total of $203,855 per annum on the Head of State, the Receipts and Payments of the government for the Financial Year ending 30 June 2017 shows.

The estimates do not show the value of vehicles and all the other perks the top officials are entitled to – including travel and other allowances.

The second highest paid official is Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

He is paid a base salary of $178,000. With allowances of $15,000 per annum, his cash-based package totals $193.602. 

The estimates show that $573,929 has been set aside for three members of the Council of Deputies, Tuimaleali’ifano Sualauvi II, Le Mamea Ropati and Tuiloma Pule Lameko. It does not say how much each of them receive but if the amount is to be divided equally, each of them has a cash-based package of $191,000 per annum, making them the third highest paid public officials.

The Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asue Falefatu Sapolu is paid more than Cabinet Ministers and the Deputy Prime Minister, making him the fourth highest paid official. 

With a base salary of $164,944 and allowances of $15,000, his total cash package is $179,994.

Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa is the 5th highest paid government official, pocketing a total of $153,831 per annum – including allowances worth $12,000.  

The Speaker of Parliament, Leaupepe Tole’afoa Fa’afisi is ranked 6th highest paid with a total package of $139,325. 

His base salary is $131,325 with annual allowances of $8,000. Deputy Speaker, Nafoitoa Misa Talaimanu is paid $103, 407 – inclusive of allowances worth $3,600.

The documents show that 12 Cabinet Ministers are paid $132,000 per annum, costing a total of $1.57 million per year. They are also entitled to allowances.

The Controller and Chief Auditor, Fuimaono Camillo Afele is paid a total cash-based package of $131,668 while the Ombudsman Maiava Iulai Toma who is paid $128,327 per annum.

The President of the Land and Titles Court is paid $126,072. A sum of $664,145 has been budgeted for the Supreme Court Judges while $1.59million is set aside for District Court Judges.

When there was an Opposition Party, leader was paid $108,000 with the deputy leader getting $92,453. These positions remain vacant and are therefore not included in the budget this year. 

The total cost for the administration in terms of salaries and allowances is $9.14million for the financial year, an increase of  $240,000 compared to the cost of the 2015-2016 financial year.