The Cabinet has appointed Fui Mau Simanu as the new C.E.O. for the Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure as well as confirmed the reappointments of two other Government entity heads. 

The Minister for Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai confirmed that the appointment of Fui was endorsed by the Cabinet last Friday. 

He takes over from the Ministry's former C.E.O. Magele Hoe Viali whose contract expired in February this year. 

Olo said it wasn’t until he wrote to the Public Service Commission (P.S.C.) – on the delay in recruiting a C.E.O. for the Ministry – when they gave a recommendation for Fui to take up the appointment. 

Fui joins two other C.E.O. appointments that have also been approved by the Cabinet: Ulugia Petelo Kavesi with the Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C.) and Peseta Noumea Simi with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

A press release issued by the Government Press Secretariat late Monday confirmed the reappointments of Ulugia and Peseta for the next three years. 

Fui is currently employed by the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) as the Chief Engineer for the Quality Assurance and Development division. 

Hailing from the villages of Savaia Lefaga, Falefa, Sagone Savai'i and Saoluafata, the new C.E.O. has clocked nearly 30 years in the public service. 

He told the Samoa Observer that he is thankful to his family and his villages for their enduring support. 

“I am excited and looking forward to working with the team at the Ministry,” he said. 

“A special shout out to my senior colleagues at the Institute of Professional Engineers of Samoa who have been my mentors throughout my career and also inspired me to take on more challenges.” 

Fui has clocked 22 years with the E.P.C. wen he started off as a technician before becoming an engineering officer. He later became a graduate engineer, project engineer and finally chief engineer for the development role he has held since 2015. 

Fui had also taught as a lecturer at the Institute of Technology, National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) for 7 years. 

Asked why he decided to apply for the top job in the Ministry for Works Transport and Infrastructure, the chief engineer said he needed a new challenge and the Ministry’s role as the coordination body for the infrastructure sector has always interested him. 

“As an engineer, I am excited about some major projects undertaken by the Ministry,” he added. “I feel I have something to contribute with my experience in project management. 

“Samoa needs a strong infrastructure that adheres to international standards taking into consideration the challenges we face as a result of climate change. 

“To achieve this, the Regulatory body (M.W.T.I.) role is very important.” 

Fui is a former student of the Samoa College and had studied overseas on Government scholarship where he obtained his Bachelor in Engineer (Electrical) Hons and Masters in Engineering Management from Australia. 

He was a former President of the Institute of Professional Engineers of Samoa (IPES) from 2014 to 2016.