Government leaders on Friday converged on the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Convention Center (T.A.T.T.E.) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Samoa National Provident Fund.

Hundreds gathered for a thanksgiving service hosted by the SNPF management which officially marked the celebration of the fund's 50 years of operation in Samoa. 

The Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II was joined at the venue by Prime Minister Naomi Mata'afa, Cabinet Ministers, Opposition Members, Diplomatic Corps representatives as well as S.N.P.F. staff and management and members of the public. 

The Minister of Finance whose portfolio includes the fund, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo, spoke on behalf of the S.N.P.F. Chair and C.E.O. to thank all those who were present for the thanksgiving service. 

She also congratulated fund's C.E.O. Pauli Prince Suhren and his hardworking staff for their dedication and commitment in serving Samoa over the past five decades.

Emphasising that it was only fitting they started the celebration with a thanksgiving service, Mulipola said it was a time to reflect on the achievements and milestones as well as the challenges the S.N.P.F. continue to face over the years. 

Pauli, in an interview with the media on Thursday, said a float parade will be held in a fortnight on Thursday 14 July to commemorate the fund's 50 years of service. 

On the following day the S.N.P.F. will host a golden jubilee ball where Government leaders and different organisations are invited to celebrate the fund's anniversary. 

The celebration of the fund's 50th birthday is also one of the festivities included in Samoa's 60th Independence anniversary celebration calendar. 

According to Pauli, there are over 32,000 active contributors registered with the S.N.P.F. but that does not include those who have accounts but are no longer employed and yet to withdraw their contributions. Out of that 32,000-plus members, more than 31,000 have already registered onto the N.P.F. online portal. 

On Friday the S.N.P.F. started disbursing a total of $26.03 million tala in cash to all of its contributors as part of the $66.7 million tala approved to be paid out for this year. 

The disbursement of the interest to members is as follows: $24.4 million (3.0 per cent) paid in cash to members on 12 April 2022 (ended), $26.03 million (3.2 per cent) paid in cash to members starting 1 July 2022 (ends 29 July 2022) and a total of $16.27 million (2.0 per cent) paid in cash to members on 1 December 2022