Senior public servant, Niuava Eti Malolo, has bid farewell and exited the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.) to prepare for the 2021 General Election.

Niuava was the Project Manager of the Pacific Ridge to Reef Project within the Ministry. He made his official exit last Friday, along with other senior public servants who are contesting the election.

His focus will now be on preparations to contest the Vaisigano No.1 seat.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Niuava said there is a need to push employment and income-earning opportunities for farmers in Savai’i and it is one of the challenges he wants to tackle if elected as a Member of Parliament.

“For our district in Savaii, we rely heavily on the plantations and koko farms to survive and majority of the people migrate to live in Upolu to find greener pastures, but I believe this should change, and I aspire to bring the opportunities to Savaii,” he said.

“If not for my job that got me to live in Apia [Upolu], I wouldn’t have been able to learn about and share these blessings to my people back in the big island.”

Niuava has registered under the banner of the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi [F.A.S.T.] Party despite his long service as a senior official in the Government. 

Even the Public Service Commission acknowledged his loyalty as a public servant, and awarded him the Innovation and Excellence Individual Award during the Commission’s anniversary celebration.

The aspiring politician will take on the incumbent M.P. and current Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lopao'o Natanielu Mua and his nomination has been endorsed by his village.

Speaking of his rival, he said Lopao'o has done a lot of work for the constituency. 

“Lopao’o is known for all the great work he has done for our district and I acknowledge him for the great effort and it’s a pleasure contesting with or against him for our district.”

The education sector is another focus area for Niuava who is also a former teacher.

“I had been in the Government for so many years and nominating for the elections was difficult because I had to consider a lot of things,” he said.

“However, I believe my focus is on God and the people and my family so everything I do is for them.

“God had plans for me and wherever he leads I will follow and if this is where he led me then I will gladly serve with honour.”

Niuava , who is married and is the father of three children, is from the villages of Vaisala, Auala, Safune, Lano, Iva and Vaitele Fou.