The position of the Managing Director for the Samoa Water Authority (S.W.A.) has been advertised after former Managing Director, Seugamaalii Jammie Saena, resigned last month.

The Managing Director appointment is for contractual employment of three years and interested applicants have until June 25, 2021, to make an application.

“Salary and benefits will be in accordance with existing remuneration packages set by the Government of Samoa for Chief Executive Officers [and] General Managers of Ministries and Corporations,” the advertisement reads.

The state-owned Authority reports to a Board of Directors appointed by the Government and employs approximately 260 staff.

Former Managing Director, Seugamaalii’s exit follows her suspension in relation to an investigation into allegations of unethical conduct made against her, the caretaker Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Papalii Niko Lee Hang, confirmed last month.

Papalii made it clear that Seugamaalii’s contract was not terminated.

Seugamaalii has been the C.E.O. since 2014 but was placed on 30 days’ suspension in March 2021 whilst an investigation was pending.

He said the allegations involved the C.E.O. and another senior staff member.

Papali’i said that the Samoa Water Authority’s operation will not be hindered as a result of the C.E.O.’s exit.

“The operation continues, and there is an Acting C.E.O. at the moment,” he said.

“In the meantime, I gave instructions to advertise the C.E.O. position as soon as possible. And the advertisement will be out soon.”

A total of 98 per cent of the country is being serviced by the Samoa Water Authority (S.W.A.).

The extent of the customer coverage, current as of June 2020, is revealed in the S.W.A.’s latest annual report for the last fiscal year.

“The increase of coverage shown in June 2020 reflects ongoing efforts to extend supply to areas without or with limited supply as listed below,” the report says.

“As people continue to move and relocate further inland SWA also continues to develop new supply systems to cater for them.”