The suspended Lepa M.P. has accused the Government of evading questions relating to a $2 million grant awarded to an IT company and questioned the rationale of using satellite technology.

Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi told reporters during a press conference last Thursday that the Government evaded questions that were asked by his party colleagues during the debate on the 2022-2023 Appropriation Bill last week.

Claiming that the grant was awarded “without tender”, the Opposition Leader said it was not appropriate for the Government, and he then questioned the rationale of using satellite communication when the costs are exorbitant.

Last week the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo was taken to task by the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) Members on the Government’s decision to give the $2 million grant given to BlueWave Company Ltd (previously known as NetVo Samoa). 

However, Toelupe reminded the House of the importance of internet connectivity within schools, saying that the Ministry is developing an IEXP (International Exchange Point) that ensures affordable access to the internet.

The Deputy Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party, Lauofo Pierre Lauofo then queried the Minister on why the project was initially tendered, before it was switched to a "single source project” even after a few companies had expressed interest. 

However, the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Va'ai then took the floor and clarified that for projects that are single source, it is usually based on the availability of resources to start a project. 

Olo also clarified that there are a lot of companies, but some of them are not able to provide or supply material for the project. 

Minister Toelupe then clarified that the expenses of the Ministry for Community and Information Technology services every year is almost $5 million and SNBH is almost $2 million, not including other services under infrastructure such as the Disaster Management Office, Police and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority.

But the veteran politician was adamant that the decision to engage a company that would rely on satellite communication is wrong.

"Samoa has five service providers which include Digicel that is partially owned by our National Provident Fund, one local company (Computer Services Limited) as well as Vodafone which is partially owned by the Unit Trust Of Samoa," Tuilaepa said. 

"Through these shareholdings our people are investing in other Pacific Islands IT where Vodafone and Digicel operate.

"Samoa had long moved away from satellite communications due to its being very expensive, unreliable and lacking security.

"We subsequently built our own marine cable – the Tui Samoa Cable – funded by a $US25million grant from the World Bank and ADB. 

“It is supplemented by the Regional Manatua Cable and Vodafone operated SAS cable.”

According to the Opposition Leader, there is no need to use satellite technology for the school internet system when Samoa has its own ocean submarine cable. 

"A huge storage on the Matautu Wharf houses enough cables to maintain broken down cables in our part of the Pacific, and a maintenance ship on standby to provide help – and all these services are being ignored,” he said. 

"By reverting to satellite communications, Samoa is going backward, the satellites that were set up during the campaign period by La’auli and Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party on pastor’s residences in Savai’i and operated free without cost are now disconnected, and the pastors are wondering why?

"Contrary to the evasive replies in Parliament, the real reason is the free usage period is over and the high cost of usage will now be borne by the Government and people of Samoa.

"In Samoa, no secret can remain a secret for a long period of time."