A fire destroyed the house of a family of three at Vaitele-Uta last Thursday night, taking with it the family taxi.

No one is thought to have been hurt. Laumata Aso, a 28-year-old mother of one, said she didn’t know where the fire started from.

“I was away with my daughter at the time, my husband wasn’t here too, and when the fire started we didn’t know until someone told me that our house was on fire,” she said.

“I was really shocked when I was told but there is nothing more we can do now.”

Everything inside the house was turned to ashes, representing losses she believes add up to thousands of tala.

“Lucky no one was injured.”

The damages include a taxi which was parked in front of the house.

“To me, all this stuff can be replaced but what matters the most is that my family is alive.”

“We really need help, all our clothes...I mean everything is gone.”

She said that the fire started at nearly ten o’clock late Thursday evening.

“I am not sure how the fire started but as a mother I will make sure that nothing like that will happen again.”

Fire Emergency and Police were at the site when Samoa Observer arrived.

Police could not be contacted for comment.

National Health Service General Manager, Leota Laki Sio has confirmed that the country only has four ambulances but says that two more are on the way.

There are two ambulances on Upolu, and two on Savai’i.

“We are currently ordering two more new ambulances,” Leota told Samoa Observer.

“Once these arrive we will be able to cater for ambulances based at the more remote district hospitals.”

Leota was responding to a complaint made by an outpatient at Leulumoega to Samoa Observer, that doctors only visited once a week, drugs were in short supply and there was no ambulance.

His response was sent early Thursday afternoon, around the same time as one of the Upolu ambulances was involved in an accident at Vaitele.

The ambulance is not thought to have been seriously damaged.

The small number of ambulances is despite a total Health budget this year of $ 113,450,023 according to the 2013/14 budget, including $18,900,275 in foreign capital project grants, and $6,911,587 in foreign “soft” loans.

Of that, only $ 72,994,171 is going to National Health Services, with the rest spent on construction of facilities, ministerial support budgets, policy advice, overseas memberships, meetings and dozens of other items.

Leota defended the limited availability of drugs at district health centres. “Leulumoega District Hospital, like all other district level health facilities, only stocks certain medications for dispensation to the public,” he said. Each centre carries a standard list of medications that they all stock, which is a “subset” of the full set of medications available from the pharmacies in TTM National Hospital and Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital.

“The simple reason for their only stocking this subset, is that there are regulations to the dispensation of medicines, whereby many can only be dispensed by pharmacists or trained pharmacy technicians.”

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are trained in the side effects, including with other drugs and “many” other issues which must be considered, he said.

“Given our staffing shortage problems in the Pharmacy area and recognizing the level of demand at these district facilities, the medications available have been carefully worked out as those able to be safely dispensed by the nurses who staff these facilities.”

He described this list as “quite comprehensive”.

There are selected medications available for pain relief, gout, allergies, epilepsy, bacterial and other infections, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, diarrhoea, family planning, mental disorders and many other conditions. Staff shortages were also behind the fact that there were limited doctors on call.

There are two main hospitals in Upolu and Savaii, with three district hospitals open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he said. Only the two main hospitals have doctors on duty 24/7.

For emergencies at centres without doctors, “Nurses staffing the district hospitals and health centres are all trained to provide basic health checks and health care, and are trained in knowing when a patient needs an urgent referral for medical attention,” said Leota.

“These district facilities nurses have a direct line of enquiry to doctors at TTM National Hospital and MTII Referral Hospital, to request medical opinion and or facilitate referral.”

Leota was also asked why there are no statistics available from Samoa on the regional PacNet disease surveillance system, and why the World Health Organisation did not have any more recent statistics than 2000.

Responsibility for reporting overseas “lies with the Ministry of Health, not the National Health Service,” he said. His full comments are below, in verbatim. “As per your enquiry dated 6th March 2014.

I apologise for the delay as I had thought I had submitted response by email earlier. Please find response below to each of your queries. Do not hesitate to get back to us if you need further clarification.

(1) Can you confirm which hospitals/ districts hospitals and health centresare open 24/7 service in Samoa? All hospitals are open 24 hours 7 days a week.

These include the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital, the Malietoa Tanumafili II Referral hospital in Tuasivi, Savaii, and 3 district hospitals each for Upolu and Savaii. Health or Medical Centres are open weekdays from 8am to 4:30pm.

2. Can you confirm which hospitals/ districts hospitals and health centres have doctors available 24/7 service in Samoa?

Tupua Tamasese Meaole (T.T.M.) National Hospital in Motootua, and MalietoaTanumafili II (M.T.II) Hospital in Savaii have doctors on duty 24 hours, 7 days a week.

For the six district hospitals (3 each in Upolu and Savaii) we have contracted private General Practitioners (doctors) due to the shortage of medical staff employed under N.H.S., to work from each hospital at least one day a week.

We also contract a private practitioner specializing in maternal care to visit each of the district hospitals in Upolu at least once a fortnight in order to provider closer to home medical checks for pregnant women in the rural areas.

Not forgetting that at the same time, maternal checkups (pregnancy and post-pregnancy checks) is primarily a nursing function with appropriate referral when needed to doctors.

It is important to note that the nursing personnel who staff these district hospitals and health centres, are all trained in delivery of primary health care and are well trained to be able to deal with usual types of complaints presenting at these rural facilities, and appropriately refer for medical consultation when necessary.

3. How many hospitals/health centres within Savai’i and Upolu?

Refer table above – there are 13 health facilities altogether.

4. We have a complaint that the district hospital at Leulumoega does not have a full supply of medicine and does not have enough ambulances? Can you explain why? Leulumoega District Hospital, like all other district level health facilities, only stocks certain medications for dispensation to the public.

There is a standard list of medications that they and all other district health facilities stock, which is a subset of the full set of medications available from the pharmacies in T.T.M. National Hospital and MalietoaTanumafili II Hospital. The simple reason for their only stocking this subset, is that there are regulations to the dispensation of medicines, whereby many can only be dispensed by pharmacists or trained pharmacy technicians.

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are trained in the side effects, contraindications or interactions with other drugs and many other issues which must be considered and may require careful counselling of the patient, when the drug or medication is dispensed.

Given our staffing shortage problems in the Pharmacy area and recognizing the level of demand at these district facilities, the medications available have been carefully worked out as those able to be safely dispensed by the nurses who staff these facilities. This list is actually quite comprehensive and includes many of the drugs and medications that may typically be required at district facilities.

There are selected medications available for pain relief, gout, allergies, epilepsy, bacterial and other infections, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, diarrhea, family planning, mental disorders and many other conditions.

As mentioned above, we have contracted private GP doctors visiting these health facilities. They are actually accompanied by pharmacy technicians with the full stock of medications so that any prescription issued can be dispensed then and there.

As well, there is a mobile X-ray van and staff which accompany so that general xrays required can also be done on site.

All district hospitals and health centres are re-stocked for pharmaceutical supplies once every week. At the same time, if there is any stock-out prior to the re-stocking visit, special delivery is made within the day. This process has been well honed so that stock-outs are rare.

As for the ambulance service, we only have two working ambulances at the moment in Upolu and two in Savaii. By necessity taking into account demand patterns they are based at TTM National Hospital and MTII Hospital in Tuasivi. We are currently ordering two more new ambulances – Once these arrive we will be able to cater for ambulances based at the more remote district hospitals.

5. Patients at Leulumoega said they can’t wait for one week for a doctor to check them, how long will the process of having one doctor once a week in those districts hospitals and health centres remain? 7. Do you think patient can hold on that long for those checkups?

Nurses staffing the district hospitals and health centres are all trained to provide basic health checks and health care, and are trained in knowing when a patient needs an urgent referral for medical attention. These district facilities nurses have a direct line of enquiry to doctors at TTM National Hospital and MTII Referral Hospital, to request medical opinion and or facilitate referral.

The bulk of patients being seen by the doctors we contract to provide services at the district health facilities, are Non Communicable Disease patients. Typical follow-up period for these patients is more than a week so the regularity of visitations by the GPs is adequate at the moment.

Lately, NHS has a doctor at Faleolo on Wednesdays, and that provides 2 doctors to that area twice a week with the one at Leulumoega on Tuesday. We hope given adequate resources, we will add another day to Leulumoega most like Thursday so that there are 2 days a week in Leulumoega and Wednesday in between at Faleolo. ie 3 days a week for that area.

6. Any Statistics or other facts on patients that have been treated at hospitals and medical centres? Refer to above answers in which I have mentioned relevant and pertinent facts on the patients at district health facilities.

8. Why is Samoa not sending reports to PacNet? The responsibility for country reporting to the World Health Organisation and the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PACNET) run by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, lies with the Ministry of Health, not the National Health Service.

9. W.H.O. has statistics on dengue up to 2000 but none after. Why is there no dengue statistics available from after 2000?

Please refer to answer to (8) above. Ma le faaaloalo.

Leota Laki Lamositele Sio GENERAL MANAGER”

Sixteen participants of the Leadership Samoa Programme (L.S.P.) celebrated sweet success at the Faleata Golf Course last night.

The graduates were members of the programme’s third intake, which started in 2013.

Families, friends, professional colleagues and members of the community gathered to celebrate the completion of the programme.

Part of the celebration included the launch of the L.S.P. 2013 Fun Park Project on a half an acre property at Faleata. Minister of Justice, Courts and Administration, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, delivered the keynote address.

The other speakers included the Australian High Commissioner, Sue Langford, and the Editor of the Samoa Observer Newspaper Group, Mata’afa Keni Lesa.

The Leadership Samoa Program was designed to fill the niche in the delivery of a holistic professional development programme in leadership skills and knowledge of ‘emerging leaders.’

The idea is that they are able to address the important social, economic, environmental and cultural local issues within the context of Samoa.

This year’s graduates include middle management officials, professionals and community leaders.

The graduates include:

• Fuafiva Enoka Poloma (Samoa Lands Corporation),
• Letaa Taunese Tuiletufuga Purvis (Treasure House Savaii),
• Asomua Epenesa Pouesi-Young (Samoa Spinal Network),
• Tanya Olomanu Toailoa (Samoa National Provident Fund),
• Alice Niumata (Samoa National Provident Fund),
• Nise Tuiavi’i (Loto Taumafai School for Disability),
• Frysna Aitogi Rimoni (Pacific Forum Line),
• Fuatino Meritiana Muliaga-Ah Wai (Adventist Development and Relief Agency),
• Petra Chan Tung (Samoa National Provident Fund),
• Faafetai Alisi (Samoa National Provident Fund),
• Florina Samia (Samoa Hotels Association),
• Tuala Pat Isitolo Leota (Isitolo Leota Accounting Firm),
• Fiu Manutoiaiga Mefiposeta Tausisi (Samoa Airport Authority),
• Paletuatoa Toelupe (Samoa Land Corporation),
• Leaupepe Esera Poliko (Fitness Firm Samoa),
• Lealaiauloto Letoa Matini Faasino (Ministry of Communications and Information Technology),
• Ugapo Amosa Amosa (Samoa Airport Authority).

Having her three-year-old son at her graduation will make the long separations Honiara had from him during her study all worthwhile.

The University of Waikato student will be graduating on 16 April at Claudelands Events Centre with a Master of Arts (Applied). Honiara says leaving her son in Samoa with her parents and family whilst taking up a New Zealand Pacific Scholarship to study at the University of Waikato for two years wasn’t easy.

“When I left in 2012, he was only 10 months old, and being a single mother, it was excruciatingly difficult. During the time I was at Waikato, I would travel back and forth during my breaks just to see him, and the part I dreaded the most was leaving. It was heart-breaking!”

But Honiara says it was worth it.

“It motivated me to do well. I kept saying to myself, ‘you’re doing this for your son….your family and friends back home’, and it all paid off in the end.”

She says the support from her lecturers, work colleagues and Hamilton family was very helpful, especially returning to full-time study after many years.

“My close friends at Orchard Hall were always there to encourage and support me during tough times.

Often I would turn up at my lecturers’ doors unannounced if I needed help with assignments and they would always make the time to see me and help me with whatever I was working on.”

Honiara says the highlights of her study were two of the course papers she completed on language teaching.

“I thoroughly enjoyed these courses as they focused on the overall development of teaching skills and on the preparation and delivery of a series of purposeful and focused language lessons for second-language speakers of English we had to teach.”

Also attending her graduation will be Honiara’s parents and sisters, her nephew, cousins and an aunty, all from Samoa, and relatives from Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington.

Honiara has now resumed her position as a Lecturer in Communication Studies in the Media and Communications Department at the National University of Samoa.

She says studying at Waikato University has enhanced her understanding of theory and practice in language teaching, and enriched her professional life.

“I absolutely enjoyed my two years at Waikato University and would recommend it to any colleagues who were thinking of pursuing further studies.

And if given the opportunity to study again, I would go back to Waikato.”

A man accused of stealing funds from an overseas funded Marine Protected Area project in Samoa is to be extradited from New Zealand.

Samoa’s Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Fa’amoetauloa Ulaitino Fa’ale Tumaali’i, said in Parliament that police in Samoa and New Zealand are working together in the search for the man.

The accused and his family have been living in New Zealand for almost three years, reported Radio New Zealand International.

The project, in the Aleipata and Safata districts, was funded by Conservation International and its representative in Samoa said the accused worked for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment at the time.

She also said the amount lost was more than 130,000 US dollars, according to R.N.Z.I.

A Samoan teenager has received the opportunity of a lifetime to study in Japan under it’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (M.E.X.T.) Scholarship.

19-year-old Foliaki Michael Mulipola will travel to Japan this month to undertake Japanese language training for his first year at the Bunka Institute of Language in Shibuya, Tokyo. After the successful completion of Japanese study, he will be enrolling into a Business Management Course at “Tokyo School of Business” for two years.

He will return to Samoa in 2017.

Foliaki says he is very excited about traveling to Japan for the first time and pursue his studies. He thanked the Government and people of Japan for affording him this opportunity to further his education.

Foliaki was a student at Robert Louis Stevenson School before completing the Foundation Programme at the National University of Samoa.

Mr Mulipola was among thirteen people who applied for “Specified Training College Students” Scholarship 2014, and the written examination and interview were conducted in May 2013.

The Embassy of Japan wishes him the best in the successful achievement in his study and in the future endeavor.

The Japanese Government (M.E.X.T) offers several types of scholarships to people of the Independent State of Samoa to study in Japan every year.

The following are the scholarships which will be advertised in April/May 2014;

• Specified Training College Students Scholarship

• Undergraduate Student Scholarship

• Research Students Scholarship (Graduate School Students & Research Students)

The requirements of applicants and the availabilities of fields of study differ from scholarship to scholarship and if you have any queries, please call Embassy of Japan in Apia on 21187 or visit us at the S.N.P.F. Plaza.

ABC Radio Australia will broadcast its Pacific morning programme live from Samoa for the first time from next Wednesday to Friday 4 April at the cultural village at the Samoan Tourism Authority in Apia.

Coinciding with the Samoa Tourism Exchange, Radio Australia presenter, Phil Kafcaloudes will focus on some of the recent successes and current challenges facing Samoan tourism.

Assisted by local Samoan co-hosts; Mata’afa Keni Lesa, Editor of the Samoa Observer and Lady Lala, presenter at 89.1 My F.M., Phil will also explore the ever-changing Samoan lifestyle and culture with a focus on sport, education, development and local food.

The 3-day broadcast will include live interviews with some fabulous Samoan guests and we’re anticipating the Samoan Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegao might also join us. Some of the live interviews will include Australian High Commissioner, Sue Langford; Chief Executive Officer Samoa Tourism Authority, Papali’i Sonja Hunter; Vice Chancellor for the Centre for Samoan Studies at the University of Samoa, Professor Asofou So’o and CEO Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Fa’amausili Taiva Ah Young.

Some of Samoa’s top athletes going for gold in this year’s Commonwealth Games will also drop by, and in between interviews, Phil will demonstrate his support for healthy living by loosening up and shaking it at a live zumba class on Thursday followed by live local music performances on Friday.

“I’m really excited to be broadcasting - for the first time - the Radio Australia Mornings program live from Samoa,” said Phil Kafcaloudes.

“We’ll be covering all the action, excitement and colour of this vibrant Pacific community and taking it out across the rest of the Pacific and to Australia.

“I’d love to see and hear from as many people as possible during the broadcasts to give Samoa that loud, bright voice it deserves.”

The live broadcasts will occur on Wednesday 2nd, Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th April from 11.30am – 2pm at the big cultural Fale at the Samoan Tourism Authority in Apia and be transmitted across the Pacific through ABC Radio Australia’s network of 16 24-hour Pacific FM transmissions.

You can wake up every morning listening to Radio Australia on 102FM in Apia with the ABC’s leading Pacific and Australian news and current affairs programs Pacific Beat and AM, followed by Mornings with Phil.

Radio Australia F.M. services available across the Pacific are:

Papua New Guinea - Port Moresby 101.9FM & Lae 102.1FM; Solomon Islands – Honiara 107F.M; Vanuatu - Port Vila & Santo 103FM; Fiji - Suva & Nadi 106.6F.M; Samoa – Apia 102FM; Tonga - Nuku’alofa 103FM; Cook Islands - Rarotonga 93F.M; Kiribati – Tarawa 90F.M; Palau - Koror 91.5FM; FSM - Phonpei 88.1F.M

Cardiologist, Dr. Satupaitea Viali, has warned that Samoa is facing rising costs of rheumatic heart disease – one that is already using up a big part of the country’s $10 million overseas treatment budget.

In a report titled “Rheumatic heart disease in Samoa and the Pacific Nations” published in this month’s edition of the Journal of Primary Health Care, Dr. Viali said acute rheumatic fever (A.R.F.) and its long-term sequel, chronic rheumatic heart disease (R.H.D.), remain a massive problem around the world, especially in the developing world.

“Since 2003, the Government of Samoa has sent between 25 and 30 young people every year for R.H.D. surgery in New Zealand,” he said.

“This has an enormous impact on the overseas treatment budget of NZ$10 million per year. “The prevalence of R.H.D. imposes a significant burden on health care systems in the Pacific nations, which have very limited budgets.

“None of the Pacific nations can afford the escalating costs of R.H.D. surgery and, therefore, there should be a strong focus on primordial, primary and secondary prevention of A.R.F. and R.H.D.”

Recognition of symptoms of rheumatism is one of the main keys to diagnosing this disease and sets in motion a cascade of primary and secondary prevention, he said.

“R.H.D. has always been assumed to follow A.R.F,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it is now becoming increasingly apparent that the majority of R.H.D. cases have had minimal or no symptoms of A.R.F.

“Many patients who have never had A.R.F. symptoms are presenting to hospitals and clinics with arrhythmia and congestive heart failure from undiagnosed R.H.D.

“The sensitivity of auscultation for heart murmurs is also becoming lower because auscultation is not done well. “Identifying R.H.D. is much easier with echocardiography.

“The World Heart Federation (W.H.F.) R.H.D. Echocardiography Criteria was recently published in 2012 to assist in defining definite R.H.D. and borderline R.H.D.

“There are now published studies to show the superiority of echocardiographic screening.”

Dr. Viali said as part the national R.H.D. screening programme in Samoa from 2008 to 2012, medical personal screened 8,457 school children aged three to 16 years in primary schools in Upolu and Savaii using a portable echocardiography ultrasound machine. Preliminary results show a R.H.D. prevalence of 14 per 1000, he said.

This compares with a 2011 paper by Dr. Viali in the New Zealand Medical Journal, which reported that “Rheumatic fever is very common in Samoa.”

In that paper, the incidence of A.R.F. was reported as decreasing to 30 per 100,000 in 2005, 12.8 per 100,000 in 2007, 7.3 per 100,000 in 2008, and 9.5 per 100,000 in 2009.

The incidence of R.H.D. had decreased to 40.2 per 100,000 in 2007, 34 per 100,000 in 2008, and 31.8 per 100,000 in 2009. However while cases go down, expenses still go up, increasing the need to improve surveillance.

R.H.D. screening with echocardiogram at schools may be the best way to reduce the burden and suffering from R.H.D.

“Although there are some concerns regarding the screening of R.H.D. with echocardiography, the utilisation of echocardiographic screening in Samoa may prove cheaper and more effective in the long term, as more R.H.D. cases are identified much earlier.

“There will be a greater chance of preventing R.H.D. deterioration by the secondary prophylaxis programme, thus reducing the number of costly cardiac operations needed.

“It must be emphasised, however, that echocardiographic screening should not be carried out without a good secondary prophylaxis programme.”

Prophylaxis refers to preventative treatment. According to the report A.R.F. is an inflammatory disease that can develop after a sore throat or pharyngitis caused by Group A streptococcal infection, usually during childhood. “R.H.D. is the result of valvular damage caused by this inflammatory disease,” according to the report.

“It is manifested by inflammation causing thickening of the valves, leaking of the valves as a result of lengthening of the valve chords, failure of coaption of the valves, annulus dilatations, or stenosis of the valves from scarring and tethering of the valve leaflets or valve chords,” the report reads.

“R.H.D. remains a massive problem in Pacific nations, including Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and others. “R.H.D. prevalence remains high in the indigenous populations of New Zealand (Maori) and Australia (Aborigines), and the Pacific nations’ migrant populations in New Zealand and Australia.

“R.H.D. remains a major cause of morbidity and premature death.” Dr. Viali said symptoms of A.R.F. include “carditis”, which is a heart murmur or heart failure, arthritis, chorea, subcutaneous nodule and a rash.

“Other supporting features include fever, high inflammatory markers and evidence of streptococcus infection, either by direct visual throat inspection, throat swab, or blood tests,” he said.

“There is no question that regular secondary prevention with intramuscular penicillin is very effective.

“Primary prevention can also work quite well if it is done well and is timely.

“If the health systems perform primary and secondary prevention well, the development and worsening of R.H.D. should be minimised and expensive cardiac surgery to repair or replace affected valves should not be needed.

“Primordial prevention is crucial to the fight against A.R.F. and R.H.D., but this area involves a multitude of determined and enthusiastic people working within and outside of health ministries to ‘chip away’ at all the issues to address in housing, socioeconomic status, schooling, culture, cultural behaviour and other areas.”

The Vailu’utai man, who took a video of his girlfriend and him engaged in a sex act at a hotel, has pleaded guilty to voyeurism in the District Court.

Tautua Pualilo, 27, had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge.

However, when he appeared in the District Court before Her Honour Judge Mata Tuatagaloa for a hearing into the matter, he changed his plea to guilty.

He did not have a lawyer appear on his behalf during the proceedings.

The video clip showed Pualilo and a former girlfriend at a hotel in Apia between 1st to 31st July 2013.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that the girl was unaware the video was being filmed.

“That is not the action of a Samoan man especially when compared to the relationship of respect expected between a male and his sisters,” Her Honour Judget Tuatagaloa said. She told him to consider his actions. And that if he had sisters he would not be happy if other males behaved in this way towards them.

“If people are brought up well in their Samoan families this would not happen. This is an indication that there is no sacred covenant between you and your sisters.”

She then ordered prosecution to provide a Victim Impact Report and also a probationary report. The matter was then adjourned to 16 April for sentencing.

The Court had previously heard that a copy of the video was shared among an unknown number of people using Bluetooth wireless between mobile phones.

Following Pualilo’s hearing another case related to this incident was also heard before Judge Tuatagaloa.

This is the hearing into a not guilty plea from Kalolo Tuala, also known as Uili Kalolo, for distributing this video clip featuring Pualilo and a former girlfriend.

Prosecution Sergeant Kenneth Komiti made an application to withdraw the charge against the defendant for the reason – he did not distribute the video clip.

This was questioned by Her Honour Judge Tuatagaloa. This prompted the sergeant to inform the Judge that he was only before the Court for suspicion.

A family at Malifa, whose house was gutted by fire in the early hours of yesterday morning, were too upset to talk yesterday.

All the family could do was wander through what was left of the house, charred beams and wilted roofing iron.

A family member, who didn’t wanttobenamed,saidthat“itis best to wait until the Fire Services and Police have completed their investigations”.

“I don’t want to say anything too early until then and please know that you will be given the opportunity when the time is right.”

He said that he was “not in the mind frame to speak about things right now”.

A source at the Fire and Emergency Services confirmed the fire started at 3am.

“We were called there at that time for help,” he said.

When questioned regarding the cause of the fire the source said “investigations are currently underway”.

The fire also caused damage to a vehicle parked close to the house.

No further details could be obtained regarding the incident.

This is the second fire this week.

A taxi driver who caused another motorist to smash through the glass front of the Apia office of Polynesian Airlines has been jailed for nine months.

Lia Aiolupotea, of Lauli’i and Magiagi, appeared in the District Court facing three charges; dangerous driving causing injury, driving without a license and dangerous driving.

Presiding was His Honour Judge Vaepule Vaemoa Va’ai. Aiolupotea appeared in the dock with the owner of the vehicle.

Talatofi Fata, of Lauli’i, was also in Court for permitting someone who had no license to drive his vehicle and giving false information to Police.

Fata told Police Aiolupotea had stolen his taxi that night. It was later found out that he had given Fata permission to drive the vehicle.

It was also revealed in the summary of facts that Aiolupotea had driven away straight after the accident without stopping.

He dropped off a passenger at a nearby supermarket and then drove off but his license plate was taken down by witnesses, leading to his arrest.

Judge Vaepule in passing sentence asked Aiolupotea how the accident happened.

And why he had driven away without stopping. Aiolupotea told the Court that he drove straight into the side of the front tyre of the sports utility vehicle that then smashed into the Polynesian Airlines office that day.

He didn’t stop because he was “scared” about not having a license. Judge Vaepule questioned why Aiolupotea was fearful, when he drove that vehicle knowing he didn’t have a license.

Aiolupotea was “scared of doing the right thing, but not scared of doing wrong,” he said.

The accident resulted with Tigaina Laupepa, a passenger in the vehicle that caused the office smash, injuring her forehead in the impact.

Questioned by Judge Vaepule whether he has apologised to the owner of the other vehicle involved, Aiolupotea said he was helping repair the vehicle.

To which the judge replied, “I’m referring to the person not the vehicle, because you cannot apologise to a car.”

Aiolupotea said the car was with being repaired by his father. He told the court his father was a mechanic and so was helping to repair the vehicle.

That was when La’auli Laupepa, husband of the victim in the accident, stood up and told the Court that his vehicle was almost all repaired.

However, he said that in fact, he has been paying for the repairs himself.

He told the Court that he has never been in contact with the defendant not even that morning before the case started in court.

Before passing sentence, Judge Vaepule noted that the probation report for Aiolupotea said he was of good character, one that can be depended on at any time by his church.

“Today however you have lied,” he said, addressing Aiolupotea. But that is not why he was sent to prison said the Judge.

Instead his imprisonment term of 9 months for the three charges reflected the seriousness of the offence.

Fata on the other hand was convicted and fined to pay $300 for his offences. He was ordered to have this paid and his failure to do so would result with his spending 2 months in prison.

The Accredited Mediators of Samoa Association (A.M.S.A) ended last week with an evening of joy and laughter as they shared about mediation with friends and guests who gathered for the occasion.

President of the A.M.S.A and lawyer, Maiava Visekota Peteru, was the host of the evening due to the absence of the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu.

“The event this evening is to celebrate the public awareness campaign that we’ve done just to let people know what mediation is about,” said Maiava.

“Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process and we have found the term ‘tufuga’ or ‘fa’atofalaiga’ which expresses the role of mediators.

“They do not give advice instead they facilitate a process to get yourself and your opponent to talk about your dispute and then come to an agreement yourself.”

According to Maiava, they now have 42 trained mediators available to act as a go- between in private disputes.

“By law, the judge can refer a claim to mediation if it is a matter that could be resolved by the two parties coming together and discussing it,” she said.

“So it’s a very empowering process.

“It’s important because it gives the power back to people to control negotiations and decide themselves on the resolution”.

She said that mediation in Samoa now has a very high percentage of success.

“Almost all cases are referred to mediation now and we’ve had a lot of successful cases”, she said.

Nynette Sass, the Secretary General for A.M.S.A, said they had invited members of the Samoa Law Society, members of the Professional bodies, employers and some representatives from different Ministries who deal with the Labour issues.

“Tonight really is the culmination of the project because when the project is officially finished next Monday then Samoa is on its own,” she said.

She said that mediation offers more advantages to assist people when they come to court.

“The wonderful thing about mediation is that it saves time and is a lot cheaper than going into litigation,” she said.

“We look forward to our people here taking full advantage of the mediation services”.

At the moment, the Ministry of Justice and A.M.S.A will be working close together to continue mediation in Samoa.

“Remember mediate don’t litigate,” said Maiava.

The Ipolito family celebrated a milestone yesterday when they opened their new 27 room property at Nu’u.

“The completion of this milestone took a while to finish,” said Toaga Lemi Mareko, speaking on behalf of the Ipolito family.

The project cost $2,437,000 and was all funded by Ipolito themselves.

“There was no loan behind it at all,” said Mr. Mareko. The project was carried out by O.S.M. Consultants and Qing Dao, led by a Mr. Wong.

The new property includes a two storey building and a separate one storey building, both with rooms, with a kitchen facility.

Mr. Mareko said that the work for both buildings started in January 2010 and most of the work was completed by June last year.

However, they needed to find extra finance to finalise construction.

“In situations like this, there are always challenges ahead however we still persevered and tried to complete the work that we started,” he said.

“It is a dream come true and a hope that has finally come to an end”, he said. Acting Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, thanked the family for their perseverance.

“On behalf of the government I would like to extend our gratitude to this wonderful development that we have opened today.

“I believe it is not something cheap”, he said.

“It is a huge contribution to the country through tourists that will visit our shores, an opportunity for job seekers to find jobs and also a benefit to those who sell their products here.”

The Acting Prime Minister said that the establishment of Ipolito’s Accommodation is a “wonderful milestone and is also necessary for the preparations of the SIDs conference that will be hosted in Samoa this year.

“It is also the Ipolito family’s contribution to the government in it’s preparation for the conference”, he said.

“Our visiting friends from around the world will have something good to tell their families when they go back to their homes”.

He also spoke about help government is giving to advertise accommodation on the internet through tourism.

“Millions are poured in from tourists and people visiting our shores and it’s important that developments like this are promoted so that there will be people who would want to come”, he said.

A blessing was conducted by Reverend Tovio Tuala Ainiusi.

Four members of one family have celebrated a ceremony of blessing – the “Samaga” last Saturday at Vaitele-Uta.

They were, Va’ai Matemini Taulafo, Joanne Vili-Taulafo, Nimo Taulafo and Tovia Vili.

Va’ai Matemini Taulafo said that he wasn’t thinking of having a tatau until his family decided to bestow upon him one of his family’s chief titles.

“Wearing a tatau is an open expression of Samoan cultural and spiritual heritage and it is a must for anyone to understand the real meaning that lies behind it.”

“Serving my family with honesty and leading them in the right direction is what matters the most, as a matai, I am ready to serve with all my heart.”

He said that “As you can see, our family came with one heart to have the tatau and malu as we believe that as Samoans we view this with cultural pride and identity as well as a hallmark of manhood and womanhood.”

“The pain is so intense and it is my understanding that those who have a tatau can remember no other pain greater than it.

“To understand the tatau and its meaning is to understand all of these elements and how they all work together in Samoa’s traditional way of living.”

Master tattooist, Su’a Fa’alili Suluape commented on the importance of tatau and malu.

“In Samoan custom, tatau and malu is done in a traditional way, together with aspects of our cultural rituals and ceremony, it also has a strong meaning for the one who receives it.”

Su’a works with three assistants, often apprentice tattooists, who stretch the skin and wipe the excess ink and generally support the tattooist in their work.

“It is over now and we wish them all the best in their callings to serve their families.” Attended by the family’s members, the ceremony started with a short service with a prayer of thanks and song led by Father Fereti.

“I encourage the four of you to be strong and rely on God’s help while heading towards your duties as leaders in your family, village, church and the whole country.”

After the service, Su’a murmured a prayer while cracking an egg on their heads symbolising their rebirth as a new woman and man on earth.

A lotion of lega (tumeric) mixed with coconut oil was then applied to their body starting with the malu and then the tatau.

Finally, those who had undergone the tattooing were given the opportunity to showcase their tattoos in celebration of their rite of passage as well as share it proudly with all their admiring family and community.

They ended the occasion by performing a siva.

Four new large 900cc road bikes and ten smaller 200cc trail bikes have been added to the police mobile force, with the new wheels added to the daily parade along Beach Road on Friday.

“Not everyone succeeded in the course, some police officers had to leave and were unable to complete the training, but the successful riders were the ones who lead the band this morning,” said lead trainer, Bret Murro, a former trainer from the Australian police force.

“The seventeen new riders were all successful in completing two different types of motorcycle training courses we had. “One of the training was the ‘Operational Riding for Patrol Motorcycles’ and the other training was ‘Escort for Motorcycle Riding on Larger Bikes’.

Motorcycles have never been that popular in Samoa but as car numbers increase and traffic jams grow more common, police are finding they need more nimble vehicles to get around on.

“It gives them more mobility especially when the enforcement of some of the traffic laws is needed and they can also respond to different jobs, basically it makes them more mobile,” said Mr. Murro.

The project costs a total of SAT$120,000 under the Samoan Australian Police Partnership.

Mr. Murro and another trainer also assisted with training of the larger motorcycle riders for the S.I.D.S Conference in September for escort riding from the airport to various locations.

Asked if he thought they are ready to ride, Mr. Murro said, “I hope so, because we spent a lot of time making sure they are safe in controlling motorcycles.

“We squeezed a lot of information into a one week course for the escort riding, because back home in Australia these course runs for six weeks, so they have learned very fast and they have done an exceptional job.

The smaller motorcycles are mainly used for general patrol work and the larger motorcycles are used purely for escorting.

“We trained up to seven motorcycle riders to ride the four big motorbikes, that way we have three backup riders.

“They can’t all work all the time, sometimes they need a rest and another three come in so we’ve got seven motorcycle riders that can ride the large ones and altogether we’ve got seventeen I believe we trained that can ride the smaller bikes.

Advantages of the training is that it provides more safety and is an improvement to the scooters that are being used at the moment.

“They don’t look as nice, the larger motorcycles give them more ability to store more equipment in their panniers, they can have more equipment on board and it’s a more modern type of motorcycle, better suited to the roads here because it’s soft suspension,” said Mr. Murro.

They spent a long time researching different types of motorcycles so they’ve come up with these ones, which they believe are best suited for these types of roads.

Mr. Murro did not see any high speed chases happening when questioned concerning the use of the motorcycles.

“It is only for slow speed around the island, it’s not fast, so they don’t need big fast motorcycles like what we have back home, the smaller bikes are better.

The language barrier was among challenges he and a co-trainer faced during the training.

“There are numerous challenges, the language was a bit of a problem, some people spoke very good English and some of the others - not so good.

“We used a little bit of interpreting but most of the time they understood and they certainly picked it up very fast, I thought it would take longer but I was quite impressed with how fast they learned.

“Another challenge also for me and my co- trainer was the heat.

“We didn’t expect that but because we came from Canberra to Samoa, it was really knocking us around and it took a few days for our bodies to get used to it.

That was probably my biggest challenge - the heat. Assistant Police Commissioner Tala’imanu Keti stated that the purpose of the course was to improve safety on the roads and also to get ready for the Small Islands Developing States (S.I.D.S) Conference.

“There will be a lot of escorting during that time and we will have special guests here during the conference so that’s why we needed this course.

“We are most thankful to the Australian Government for their support - for providing both the training as well as the 900CC and 200CC motorcycles used for escorting and enforcing traffic law.”

Do the country’s new trust laws adhere more closely to international standards against money laundering?

That’s the question that was sent to a regional organisation set up to fight money laundering.

That’s the question that was sent to a regional organisation set up to fight money laundering. But it is refusing to answer questions about its activities – because of a “communications strategy.”

Six questions were sent to the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (A.P.G.) but none were answered. Samoa Observer wanted to independently check a claim by government that its new Trust laws were “more” compliant with provisions set by the group.

However the A.P.G. referred comment back to what it described as the group’s “contact agency” in Samoa, the Central Bank.

“As you might be aware, we have a communications policy available on our website,” said Gordon Hook, Executive Secretary of the A.P.G., attaching a copy of the ‘policy’ to his email answers.

“It contains some restrictions at paragraphs 47 - 51 on what we, in the Secretariat, may discuss with media outlets. Paragraphs 13 through 16 are also relevant,” he said.

“On the basis of our policy, the Secretariat is not in a position to answer your questions.”

One of those questions related to why the group did not send any of its “news” updates to news outlets. This follows a visit by the group to Samoa in late February, which the A.P.G. did not reveal until afterwards, posting an update on its website.

The update refers to talks with officials over an anti-terrorism law, but does not mention this country’s new Trust Bill.

“Without stating whether or not Samoan authorities would answer your questions, Samoa's primary contact agency for A.P.G. issues is the Central Bank of Samoa. You may wish to direct your questions there.”

Dr. Hook’s refusal to comment about Samoa contrasts with his being quoted earlier in February about a visit to the Maldives, where he warned about “negative consequences” if Parliament there failed to pass amendments on money laundering.

He is quoted by a news site, Financial Crime Asia, as accusing the Maldives of being the only one among 41 A.P.G. members “without a comprehensive A.M.L./C.F.T. framework.”

A.M.L./C.F.T. refers to Anti-Money Laundering, and the Control of Financing for Terrorism. Samoa introduced a terrorism bill at the latest sitting.

Meanwhile, despite the 2010 communications strategy, gaps remain on the A.P.G. website. There is a page for a ‘blog’ and also a page for “implementation issues.”

Both pages are blank. Dr. Hook did not answer a question as to why the group was taking such a low-key approach to its activities.

Dr. Hook’s refusal to comment about their own activities comes despite Section 47 of the 2010 “Information and Communication Strategy”, which states that “In an effort to raise awareness among the general public within the region, the Secretariat may, without members’ consent, answer media enquiries in relation to APG processes and procedures and refer to published reports and other open source material.

The Secretariat may also, in broad terms, discuss regional money laundering and terrorist financing.”

The A.P.G. was set up in 1997, one of seven independent regional groups established in response to the creation of the Financial Action Taskforce (F.A.T.F.) by the G7, the world’s seven largest economies.

“The APG Terms of Reference 2012 provide that the A.P.G is voluntary and co-operative in nature,” states the A.P.G website.

“The A.P.G's mandate is fixed by inter-governmental agreement until 2020 to mirror the current mandate of the Financial Action Task Force.”

The group’s terms of reference recognise 40 recommendations from the F.A.T.F. that were first set in 1990 and then reviewed three times since then, the latest review taking place in 2012.

These recommendations “constitute the international standards for anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism,” states the A.P.G.

The F.A.T.F. was established eight years earlier, in 1989, to counter what the International Monetary Fund now estimates is between two to five per cent of global Gross Domestic Product lost to fraud and corruption.

At current global economic estimates, this represents more than U.S. $3 trillion, some 30 times higher than global aid assistance.

Regina’s Beach Fales is clinging on to what little land they’ve got with little hope, as with each day the ocean is literally taking the fales one by one.

The owners say this is a case of nature's robbery, which they are unable to do anything about.

Built on land owned by Gaono and Fuapepe Alosio Smith, Jacinta and Valeliano Gaono have been operating the fales at Manase for 11 years.

But they are fighting a losing battle against coastal erosion, climate change and some man-made factors. Since the 2009 tsunami, Mrs. Gaono says that with every year, the ocean has been taking more and more of what little beach they had.

“The sea has changed since the tsunami,” she said. “Every year, huge waves come and claim our land. There is nothing that we can do, except watch it wash away.” Mrs. Gaono said the erosion of the beach got worse after Cyclone Evan, with the water now rising to their restaurant fale.

“Last month there was another big wave and it claimed more of our land and now it is so much worse,” she said.

“The waves were coming up as high as our restaurant. This is what I am worried about because it is very expensive to make another fale, another restaurant. “Maybe in five years, we will build a new one but for now we need this one”

She said this is why they applied to the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A), through the Samoa Hotels Association (S.H.A.) for assistance from damage caused by Cyclone Even under the Mrs. Gaono said she put together all the requirements for the grant and took them across to Apia.

“We applied for the grant in March and were approved for $100,000 around May,” she said.

“This money was to go towards fixing our fales and building a sea wall. “We have received only $20,000 of this money – which has gone towards rebuilding the fales that were taken by Cyclone Evan.”

She said when she inquired about rest of the grant that she was approved for her properties seawall, she was told by S.T.A that they are going to build a sea wall for the whole of Manase. “What I don’t understand is that if they are building a sea wall for the whole of the village – where is the $75,000 they approved for Regina’s Fales for our sea wall alone?

“If Manase is getting this sea wall for free, where is the rest of our grant money?

“Others here have not applied for help, but they are still getting the sea wall. “So I don’t understand where the rest of the money has gone that was granted to us.” The Gaono’s applied to S.H.A. for the money under the Tourism Cyclone Recovery Program (T.C.R.P). According to the application form, available on the S.H.A. website, there is to be only one grant application per project, operator or property.

“Applicants must ensure their grant applications are fully supported and costed,” the application form reads.

“Payment of grants to eligible projects will be made on a 100 per cent instalment basis.” The application further reads that to ensure owner’s commitment to re-build to pre-cyclone capacity and ‘build back better standards, the grant contribution, equity contribution (cash contribution) will be as follows for each affected property.

“The equity contribution will not include contribution towards labor costs, site clearance and other remedial works undertaken by the owners to date,” it reads. What this means is that beach fale owners would be granted this money if they put forward 20 per cent of their own money, then the T.C.R.P. would fund the remaining 80 per cent. In regards to the seawall, Mrs. Gaono said the S.T.A. told her they were going to come and fix the wall in May last year.

“Then I went over there and then came back and they said that maybe at the end of the year,” she said.

“But still there is nothing, we are still waiting.” She said the S.T.A. said they would look for a good engineer to come and assess what was needed for the seawall. “To look at the beach and to see what kind of sea wall will be good for the beach so that is why they are looking for a good engineer,” she said.

“The S.T.A. said we have to go and talk to the other businesses if that it’s okay if they can come and do the sea wall here?

“I said why do we have to do this? They said they are going to run a sea wall along the entire coast of Manase.

“I just want to know where is the $75,000 for our sea wall? We can’t just apply for the whole of Manase – we can only apply for just Regina’s Beach Fales.”

Regina’s Beach Fales, named after Gaono’s granddaughter, who was a nun who passed away in Rome, is all the family have.

“This is our family business but with what is happening to our beach, we are struggling. We are losing tourists because of the damage.”

It wasn’t until March this year, one year after the T.C.R.P. money was granted by New Zealand, that the S.T.A. started looking for that engineer.

The Authority has been running a tender notice in the Samoa Observer for the procurement of services.

“Invitation for request for proposal for a preliminary design for shoreline protection and implementation plan for Manase, Savai’i,” the notice reads.

“Proposals are invited from qualified civil engineering firms and/or technical consultants to prepare a Preliminary design and Implementation Plan for T.C.R.P Technical Assistance under the Environment Risk Component for Manase, Savaii.”

The initial notice had a deadline of yesterday, however, as of last Sunday’s paper the deadline for this preliminary design has been pushed back to Monday April 28, 2014.

According to source within the construction industry, what this tender notice effectively is, is a feasibility study.

“It is just a preliminary scope of works,” the source said. “Bidders have 30 days turn around a design from when they sign the contract.

“It is going to actually depend on what the S.T.A. actually wants and what they can actually afford.

“This initial design could in effect change if the Authority cannot afford what it wants.

“That is just the preliminary design work.”

“It will probably be a year before any work happens on the ground.” President of the Savaii Samoa Tourism Association, Sesilia Leota-Schwalger, said if the construction is not going to happen as possible at Manase, then the S.T.A. should hand over the rest of the money so the Gaonos can begin the work themselves. She said her Association conducted a site visit to the Fales in Manase took some photos and sent through a report to the S.T.A.

“We emailed them and gave them our report of our visit and we were told that they have put out an E.O.I. (Expression of Interest) for a seawall at Manase,” she said.

“So hopefully they will do something. “We are hoping that they do something to that place as soon as possible.

The sooner the better otherwise there won’t be a Regina’s.” Ms. Schwalger said waiting for the E.O.I. process would take longer than Regina’s has to wait. “That will take maybe another three months,” she said.

“And if they get their money now, they can do something with now with it. “I hope they get someone to do that they did say they applied for finding and they got $20,000 “They really should get the rest of their money – if they applied for their $100,000 they should get their $100,000. “I hope they get their money so they can do something about it now.”

S.T.A. C.E.O., Papali’i Sonja Hunter was emailed questions in regards to this situation, but at the time of press the only answer offered was an email from S.T.A. staff member, Gardenia Elisaia acknowledging the questions put to the Authority.

“Please be advised that we will endeavour to get the information you require to you as soon as possible but please note we are currently busy with the Samoa Tourism Exchange at the moment,” she wrote.

“Thank you for your kind understanding.” S.H.A C.E.O, Alexandra Mauli-Rankin was also contacted for comment. “Before I attempt to answer your questions, I would like to firstly reiterate the fact that the Reconstruction Grant Facility (Component 1) of the T.C.R.P. provides assistance through the provision of Building Materials to rebuild back fales and facilities that were directly damaged by Cyclone Evan and therefore does not give out money or funds direct to operators,” she said.

“This was made clear via the presentation by S.T.A. at the T.C.R.P. Launch, March 2013, and through direct consultations with our operators that come through to the S.H.A. office (the T.C.R.P. Focal Point) to apply for assistance.

“Regina’s Beach Fales was approved building materials to the amount of SAT$25,000.00 which the operator had utilised to rebuild four of the 16 fales that had been directly damaged by the Cyclone as well as used to make improvements to the existing 12 fales, communal dining facilities and bathroom facilities.

“These reconstruction works were all completed by December 2013 as per our monitoring and evaluation site visits.” She said according to the K.V.A. Consultants, S.H.A., S.T.A. and P.L.T. Damage Assessment carried out post Cyclone Evan – an estimation of SAT$75,000.00 worth of ‘Technical Assistance’ in the area of Coastal Infrastructure was to go towards addressing the coastal erosion problem experienced by Regina’s Beach fales with an emphasis on the need for ‘thorough investigation required taking into context the whole Beach, with the two streams and the wave action along the shore drift’.

“Thus – this SAT$75,000.00 worth of technical assistance for the coastal erosion site Regina’s is situated on, has been allocated to Component 4, Technical Assistance, of the T.C.R.P. for coastal protection implementation,” she said.

“As there have also been other critical sites identified with coastal erosion problems such as Saanapu, Saleapaga and Tafatafa thus the need to assess the issue on a collective basis.

“The T.C.R.P. Secretariat (at S.T.A.) have since carried out extensive consultations with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.), the Disaster Management Office (D.M.O) and other relevant agencies to implement this component of the T.C.R.P. in the most efficient way possible.

“Where the problem is addressed with minimal disruption to the natural environment and without duplicating the activities of similar Climate Change programmes currently underway.

“Apart from comprehensive consultations with the relevant agencies there has also been the process of drafting Terms of Reference to procure the technical assistance required which of course needs to not only be approved by agencies involved in the implementation of the T.C.R.P. but also by the Donor agencies involved.”

Mrs Mauli-Rankin said from S.H.A.’s records, the majority of those properties that were directly affected by the Cyclone have already accessed the T.C.R.P. and have been assisted – however there is approximately 25 eligible properties still yet to access their T.C.R.P. reconstruction assistance of which S.H.A. and S.T.A. follow up every week.

She said S.H.A. and S.T.A. are also constantly contacting the eligible properties to access their T.C.R.P. marketing assistance which entitles operators to assistance of up to SAT$20,000.00 each (subject to equity contribution, or an owner's investment in an asset that gives him or her an ownership interest) for website development, brochures and advertising in key media outlets which must have the main objective of recovering pre-cyclone demand.

“As mentioned earlier the T.C.R.P. Reconstruction Grant Facility assists in the form of ‘Building Materials’ of which this operator has already received her approved assistance and completed her reconstruction and renovation works to fales that had been damaged by the Cyclone,” she said.

“The T.C.R.P. Secretariat are currently vetting tenders received for the Preliminary Design of Shoreline Protection and Implementation Plan for the areas affected – mainly Manase.

“(The) majority of operators have received their Building Materials – however as per the T.C.R.P. process you must submit three quotes from your preferred suppliers before you receive your building materials therefore we are currently awaiting quotes from seven properties before we can disburse their materials. “As mentioned earlier in my email, the SAT$75,000.00 was the estimated cost of technical assistance required to rehabilitate the coastal erosion at the Regina’s Beach Fale site alone.

“However taking into account the engineer’s advice to address this issue in the context of the whole Beach and not exclusively the site on which Regina’s is situated on – the SAT$75,000.00 has been allocated into the Technical Assistance component pool of funds so that the issue can be dealt with on a collective basis to ensure a sustainable and long-term solution.” Mrs Mauli-Rankin said the T.C.R.P. Grant Facility is made up of 4 Components; 1 – Reconstruction Grant Facility, 2- Marketing Grant Facility 3- Training Grant Facility 4- Technical Assistance Grant Facility.

“Each components have allocated budgets to implement their objectives as well as ensure that all those who were directly affected by the Cyclone are assisted,” she said.

“The TCRP and its Grant facilities remain and are open until mid 2015.” She clarified that the STA tender notice currently being advertised in the newspaper for a Shoreline Protection and Implementation Plan for Manase was a part of Component 4 – Technical Assistance which already had an allocated budget.

A man and woman, who appeared in the Supreme Court yesterday, pleaded guilty to 61 counts of incest each.

Their relationship was not revealed before the Court when they appeared before his Honour, Chief Justice Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu.

But they both carry the same surname.

Lawyer, Semi Leung Wai, represented the woman while Fa’aolesa Katopau Ainu’u is representing the man.

The defendants’ guilty plea was entered through their counsels.

Prosecutor, Precious Chang, of the Attorney General’s Office, informed the Court that the prosecution has already filed a memo outlining the charges against the defendants.

She pointed out that each defendant initially faced 82 counts of incest.

But the memo sought leave to withdraw 21 charges from each of the defendants.

No reasons were given for the withdrawal.

The matter has been adjourned for sentencing on 14 April 2014.

Students attending government schools returned to the classroom yesterday after having one week off in a bid to contain the recent pink eye outbreak.

The decision to close all government schools was made by the Ministry of Education, following the advice given to them by the Ministry of Health, who noted a marked increase in the number of pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, cases presented to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.

Aele Primary School Principal, Taua’i Peniamina Finauga, said the decision made by his Ministry was the right one, especially when he saw the growing number of students’ affected by the disease.

“As we all know, what the Ministry of Education decided was really interesting in order to protect not only the children, but everyone, from spreading the pinkeye disease,” he said.

“Children are usually the most susceptible to getting the condition from bacteria or viruses because they are in close contact with so many others in schools.

“Last week’s break helped in easing the spread of the disease.”

He said most of his students had recovered from the disease, and he hopes that it will go away all together very soon.

“Not only for the children affected but the teachers as well,” he said.

“By asking everyone stay at home it helped to minimise the burden on parents having to take their children to hospital for treatment, especially if their child gets re-infected.”

Mother, Fa’asifo Maepu, said following last week’s closure it was good seeing many children and teachers back at school and in good health.

“Some of the parents were worried when they discovered the fast spread of pinkeye,” she said.

“But closing schools down last week was the right decision, now everyone is back and fully recovered.

“As Samoans, we all need to grow and live in a safe environment free from diseases.

“All parents must understand the most common ways to contract pinkeye is by reusing handkerchiefs and towels when wiping your face and eyes, forgetting to wash your hands often and by frequently your touching eyes and then others.

“So I want to thank the Ministry for their decision to close down the schools last week.”

The Office of the Press Secretariat issued a statement on behalf of the Committee for the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) to be held in Samoa later this year.

Parts of this statement were edited and used in a story titled “S.I.D.S’s preparations promising” published on page 11 of the Sunday Samoan. We are publishing the statement in verbatim below:

“Last month saw the Global Launch of the International Year of the S.I.D.S at the United Nations in New York in advance of the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the S.I.D.S Conference that is to be held in Samoa later this year.

The global launch, held on the 24th February, was attended by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and it was an opportunity to highlight again the importance of the upcoming S.I.D.S Conference as a specific platform for international discussions on the sustainable development of S.I.D.S particularly in the lead up to the post-2014 agenda and the Sustainable Development goals. National preparations for the Conference are well underway.

The renovations of the Conference site at Faleata Sports Complex are making promising progress. Two new buildings under construction will provide extra conferencing facilities needed in addition to four existing buildings within the Complex.

Renovations to the four buildings, which are Gym 1, Gym 2, Gym 3 and the Aquatic centre are progressing well in order to provide appropriate meetings and office spaces for delegates.

All the six buildings will be aptly named to reflect six islands of Samoa such as Upolu Plenary Hall, Savai’i Partnerships Hall, Nu’utele Accreditation Centre, Manono Media Centre, Namu’a Food Court and Apolima Secretariat.

Landscaping are being undertaken by nearby church communities, engendering community participation and local ownership of this important project.

The second UN Planning Mission in January expressed their satisfaction with the status of national preparations thus far.

The host country will provide transportation for each delegate of the Conference between hotels and the venue and including to and from the airport.

With assistance from China and Japan, additional buses will be provided to supplement locally procured shuttle buses.

Plans are also being finalized to ease any traffic congestion such as appropriate speed limits and dedicated routes.

Specific training for drivers for the delegates’ shuttles will be conducted in the next few months.

Security preparations for the Venue, Matautu Wharf, hotels and airports are similarly underway and on target.

In regards to accommodation, the government in conjunction with the Samoa Hotels Association is working to secure appropriate and sufficient accommodation rooms for all delegates.

Present accommodation options are the cruise ship brought under the assistance of the New Zealand government, and landbased accommodations such as hotels, motels, lodges and private executive homes.

With regards to ICT, the government has been working closely with members of the ICT private sector to secure appropriate and adequate services for communications and information technology for the 3,000 delegates of the conference, taking into account the host country’s emphasis for a paperless/paper smart conference. Sustainable partnerships are key aspect of the SIDS Conference.

The United Nations endorsed Samoa’s theme of the Conference as “Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States through genuine and durable partnerships”.

During the preconference period 28-31 August 2014, the government in conjunction with the United Nations have identified four forums to convene throughout this period.

These are Youth Forum, Civil Society Forum, the Renewable Energy Forum and the Private Sector Forum and will be held at the Faleata Golf Course.

In terms of official government ceremonies, Samoa’s cultural opening ceremony to open and welcome delegates to the conference will be held on Sunday 31st of August.

As well, the government will host a State Dinner for Heads of State/Governments and Ministerial heads of delegations and their respective spouses on Monday 1st September 2014.”