The Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.) have welcomed their new Minister to his portfolio.

Minister Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster was formally welcomed in an ava ceremony at the S.T.A. Fale on Friday with senior officials from the Government Ministry and the authority partaking in the ceremony. 

He was sworn into Cabinet earlier this month and is the 12th Cabinet Ministers in the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T) Party led Government.

He had stepped down from his cabinet portfolio in July this year after a drunk-driving charge which saw him go before the District Court. He was recently discharged without conviction and had to pay a court fine of $2,000 tala.

In attendance at the ava ceremony on Friday were the S.T.A Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) Faamatuainu Lenatai Suifua and the C.E.O for the M.N.R.E Frances Reupena Brown, and their staff.

Toeolosulusulu, when making remarks on Friday afternoon following the ava ceremony, thanked the S.T.A. and M.N.R.E for the ceremony and the opportunity to meet them in person.

"I would like to thank the [Chief Executive Officers] and those who work in the Ministry that we could be here together today," Toeolesulusulu said in his remarks on Friday.

He told the staff that he would rely on their guidance and support, which are crucial for success not only for the future of the Ministry, but also for the future of Samoa and its youth.

Toeolesulusulu also appealed to those in the Ministry to work honestly and with all their hearts.

"If we do the work, then we should do it with all our hearts, give it all your knowledge because if you do it properly, it will be a blessing for Samoa," he said.

Toeolesulusulu had also thanked Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa for the chance to work with the Ministry again.

"I am looking forward to working with you all. God bless," he said.