A 71-year-old man will run for the constituency seat currently occupied by the Minister of Health, Faimalotoa Kika Stowers-Ah Kau.

Uga Moliola Fidow, of Safotu, will contest the Gagaifomauga No. 1 seat in the 2021 General Election under the banner of the newly formed party, Fa'avae ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi [FAST].

The aspiring politician told a media conference that his constituency is in need of further development, which is why he is putting his hands up to run.

“The highest anticipation is that I am able to use my remaining years and strength to serve my constituency through needed developments,” he said at the F.A.S.T. Headquarters on Wednesday.

Uga made reference to the expansion and improvement of the constituency’s reef conservation project as being at the top of his list.

“Yes, we have the project in place and it is going well, but it is not enough. We need 10,000 more to be nourished and conserved in our waters to improve and further develop the project. We have a big constituency.”

Access to clean drinking water is also another priority for his constituency, if he is elected to office next year, and briefly highlighted the plight of families who have moved further inland in the constituency and cannot access clean drinking water.

“That’s one area why I was prompted to join the political ring and enter the upcoming elections; to push for these improvements for the benefit of all people in the constituency,” he added. 

And the plantation roads in the constituency are also in a dire state and in need of repair.

“As already known by the people of our constituency, the plantation works are still yet to show any improvement.

"It seems not a single cent of the Government had been spent in that area for our constituency and that needs to change."

Asked why he had chosen to run under the F.A.S.T. banner, Uga said he felt for the party leader, La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, who he said was “unfairly treated” in Parliament two months ago.

“It is already known that Laaulialemalietoa has roots in Safotu and this is why I was willing to join his party, see whichever and wherever I may be on use here to show my support for the son of Safotu,” he emphasised. 

Uga is married to Eseta Fidow and they have nine children.

Another candidate who is also running for the same seat is Timu Iakopo Timu, who is contesting under the Human Rights Protection Party [HRRP] flag.