Cabinet has approved the reappointment of So’oalo Kuresa So’oalo to continue at the helm of the Samoa Ports Authority (S.P.A.) following an impressive performance.

So’oalo has been credited for strengthening the Authority’s cash flow position from $6 million in 2007 to $10.3 million in 2020. It was one of the attributes, which saw the Selection Panel recommend that he continue.

The decision was accepted by Cabinet and confirmed in a statement from Cabinet, announcing So’oalo’s second three-year term.

So’oalo, who holds a Master of Business Administration, (MBA) from the University of the South Pacific and a Bachelor of Commerce-Accounting B.Com from the National University of Samoa, was among only two applicants for the position.

“After the due diligence process, Cabinet upheld the unanimous recommendation by the three member panel for So’oalo’s reappointment,” the statement from Cabinet reads.

“During his first term in office, So’oalo played a leading role in securing funding of USD$26.2 million to finance the Enhancing of Safety, Security and Sustainability of the Apia Port Project.

“Also under his leadership, S.P.A’s cash position has strengthened by 76% from close to $6 million in 2007 to $10.3 million in 2020.

In addition S.P.A. paid total Cash Dividends of $9.5 million tala to Government during the last three fiscal years.”

So’oalo started his working career at the ANZ Bank and for 15 years served as Assistant General Manager of the Samoa Shipping Corporation (S.S.C.) before his appointment by Cabinet in 2017 as C.E.O. of S.P.A.

His education journey started at the Samauga Primary School in Savai’i and he continued at Leififi Intermediate and Samoa College.