In a first for Samoa's energy sector, awards recognising excellence, service, innovation and leadership among professionals from 16 different government ministries, corporations and organisations across the industry. 

The awardees were named last Friday, which was the final day of the 2021 Sustainable Energy Awareness meeting held at the T.A.T.T.E. building in Sogi. The awards recipients were nominated by their colleagues.

The presentation was a “milestone” achieved during the three-day meeting, according to Lilian J. Penaia works with the energy sector coordination division under the Ministry of Finance.

Following radio presentations and panel discussions that took place two days prior, the final day saw an energy exhibition where stakeholders were invited to display their work. Others put on energy demonstrations.

Running parallel was the school programs where schools were invited to submit entries for poster and poem competitions.

 “The program ended on a high note when the members’ services were recognized in this ceremony. For me as organizer of the event it felt so rewarding seeing their (awardees) smiling faces upon receipt of their awards – it’s always good to acknowledge people and all their efforts at some point. It’s a great feeling!,” said Ms. Penaia.

“The schools competition was followed by the Energy Sector’s Recognition Awards which was also the finale of the three-day program. This is also the first time this was done within the Energy Sector. 

"The Awards was … to appreciate and recognize the exceptional, hard-working men and women from the Sector. The Energy Sector consists of 16 ministries, corporations and organizations. The nominations were opened to the sector.”

Four awards, the  Commitment to Excellence Award, the Career Contribution Award, the Innovation Award and the LEadership Award were presented by Deputy United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P.) Resident Representative Verena Linneweber.

The Commitment to Excellence Award was given to Aufa’i Petaia Tausani, Assistant Commissioner at the Fire Emergency Services Authority.

The Career Contribution Award was presented to Fui Tupai Mau Simanu, the Chief Engineer at the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.).

The Innovation Award was given to Vanda Fa’asoa-Chan Ting.

Chief Technical Advisor for the I.M.P.R.E.S.S. project, Fonoti Perelini Perelini, received the Leadership Award.

In the energy poster competition, Ah Mu Academy won two first place awards with entries coming from seven schools: Ah Mu Academy, Peace Chapel Christian School, All Saints Primary School, Pesega Middle School, Samoa Primary School, Robert Louis Stevenson School and St. Theresa Primary School.

“We will definitely do this again, but differently…especially for the schools programs,” said Ms. Penaia.

The National Energy Coordination Committee (N.E.C.C.) thanked their sponsors who provided prizes for the schools competition: Samoa Stationery & Books; Island Rock Company and the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (S.R.O.S.).

Student winners for the Poster Competition are as follows:

Year 4

1. Ansina Stowers – Ah Mu Academy
2. Sinaumea Taioalo – Samoa Primary School
3. Julialani Alaovae and Cadine Suluape – All Saints Anglican School

Year 5

1. Samoa Primary 
2. Tuiaana Esera – Peace Chapel Christian School
3. Eungelion Faletoese – All Saints Anglican School

Year 6

1. Tamara Lui – Ah Mu Academy
2. Valaimatagi Lam – Samoa Primary School
3. Jaywales Fa’aofo, Simanu Paul and Suzietina Roma – All Saints Anglican School

Student winners for the Poetry Competition are as follows:

Year 7

1. Tilyrachrissaleen Laulualo – Pesega Middle School
2. Gianna Chu Ling – Robert Louis Stevenson School
3. Tolauapi Malolo – Pesega Middle School

Year 8

1. Tuifiti Kerslake – Samoa Primary School
2. Charlene Hastings – Robert Louis Stevenson School
3. Moana Mieko Va’a – Pesega Middle School