The Manu Samoa Under 20s continued their spirited fight at the Junior World Cup in New Zealand last night with a gutsy effort against a high-flying South African team.

Although they lost, 21-8, at the ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, the young Manu Samoa can hold their heads high, after putting in a performance that nearly re-wrote history.

South Africa last week hammered tournament favourites, New Zealand.

Last night, however, the Boks was given a real run for their money, needing a late try to seal victory.

“We gave it our all,” Captain Stowers said. “We just said to ourselves that we wanted to win it for our families and country. It was a case of Samoa mo Samoa unfortunately we just came up short.”

Coach Lemalu Semo Sititi’s men held a slim but surprising 8-7 lead at the halftime break, from a William Mu penalty and a try by Nathaniel Apa.

Two separate incidents resulting in two Samoan players being sin binned at critical points of the game did not help.

“It’s just hard to defend when you are a man down but that was the reality for us,” said Stowers. “Against a team like South Africa, you need all hands on deck. We had two players in the bin on different occasions and that made it extremely difficult. They scored when we had a man down so it’s disappointing.”

With their tales up at 8-7, Samoa struggled to keep that lead in that second half, as their ill-discipline and inaccurate execution let them down.

The Junior Springbok squandered many opportunities but tries from centre Andre Esterhuizen and winger Sergeal Petersen saw them win the match 21-8.

Scores

Samoa – Try: Nathaniel Apa. Penalty: William Talataina Mu.

South Africa –Tries: Aidon Davis, Andre Esterhuizen, Sergeal Petersen. Conversions: Handre Pollard(3).

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The Manu Samoa team visited the Children’s Ward at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital on Wednesday.

It was one of two places the team visited, including the Tafa’igata Prison.

Two days away from its next assignment against Italy at Apia Park this Saturday, the country’s national team brought smiles to many sick children at the hospital when they turned up with gifts.

Forwards Coach, Tom Coventry, said yesterday was the team’s day off and so they thought it would be a good chance to visit the hospital.

“The boys have put together few little gifts for the children here in the hospital, it’s just a small gesture from them to the children,” he said.

“I think it’s good that the team get to experience what’s important in grounding them and making sure that we are not just a rugby team.

“We keep saying that it’s the people’s team so giving out to the people is very important to them. They enjoy it and are very good at doing it.”

Manu Samoa Technical Advisor, Namulauulu Alama Ieremia, said the smiles on the faces of the young ones made the visit to the hospital worthwhile.

“Today is a very good chance to visit the children here,” he said. “It is my first time here and I really enjoyed this morning, this is something that the team needs to do a lot.”

Half of the team was at the hospital.

The rest visited Tafa’igata Prison where they were given a show by prisoners. The team is staying at Millennia Hotel, preparing for the one-off test match against Italy this weekend.

The Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.) has not had the money to do its job, a Parliamentary select committee has found.

According to the Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee (H.S.S.I.A.C.S.D.) Committee’s report on the Ministry’s Annual Reports for the Financial Year’s ending June 30 2011 and 2012, the M.W.S.C.D. carry out work that is of value to the Samoan community.

Gatoloaifaana Amataga Gidlow serves as the Committee’s Chairperson. “Based on its findings the Committee recommends to the Government to advise the Ministry of Finance in assigning appropriate sums in the Main Budget to the Ministry,” the Committee Reports.

“As it is noted the wide-ranging and important plans of the Ministry in ensuring the welfare of the country that cannot be reached due to monetary constraints."

The H.S.S.I.A.C.S.D. Committee also noted the importance of the Faleula Committee Division in sustaining traditions, customs and cultural values.

“The Ministry stated that it has achieved one of its activities from the corporate plan in completing the Tusi Faalupega 2012 edition and it is an accomplishment in updating salutations between villages and villagers,” the report reads.

“There is a new program under the control of the Committee that is broadcasted on TV called O le Toe Sasaa le Fafao."

“This Program serves to inform customs and traditions and is an advisory Committee by providing perspectives on reducing poverty.”

For these resons the Ministry recommened to the Legislative Assembly that the M.W.C.S.D. to consider in continuing O le Toe Sasaa le Fafao Program due to its importance to future generations.

Further more the Committee noted the Ministry was looking at making its Printing Division independent, “The Ministry of Women and Ministry of Finance has completed deliberation on the Ministry’s Printing Services debt,” the Committee reports.

“As the Ministry of Finance has recommended that an Inter-transaction Department be established within the Ministry to monitor transactions with other Ministries and to seek ways in directly paying loans from its set budget."

“The Ministry stated that there are plans in making this Division independent.”

As such the Committee recommended to the Legislative Assembly “to implement an examination to making the Printing Division into a State Owned Enterprise.”

In addition to Gatoloaifaana, the board compised of Aeau Peniamina Leavaiseeta as Deputy Chairman, Motuopuaa Aisoli Vaai, Ifopo Matia Filisi, Aveau Nikotemo Palamo, Tofa Sooalo Mene and Alo Fulifuli Taveuveu.

The report is republished in full below:

1. RECOMMENDATION:- The Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee recommends that the Assembly takes note of its Report.

2. PREAMBLE:- The Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee is constituted pursuant to the provisions of Standing Orders 171.

3. STANDING ORDERS 171:- Pursuant to Standing Orders 173, it shall be the duty of the Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee:

(a) To consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Assembly or pursuant to these Standing Orders; and such Estimates or review of ministerial performance as maybe referred by the Finance & Expenditure Committee;

(b) To examine the policy, administration and expenditure of ministries and associated government organizations related to health, housing and social services, internal affairs, community and development.

4. PAPER CONSIDERED:- P.P 2012/2013 No.

16, Annual Report of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development for the Period ended 30th June 2011. P.P 2012/2013 No.1, Annual Report of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development for the Period ended 30th June 2012.

5. WITNESSES:- During the course of the Committee’s review of the Annual Report of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development For the period ended 30th June 2011 and 30th June 2012, it was able to hear oral evidence submitted by the following:

Ministry of Women Community and Social Development Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago - Chief Executive Officer. Faaiuga Mulitalo - Assistant Chief Executive Officer. (Corporate Services Division)

Tifitifi Uitime e Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Printing Division) Louisa Apelu - Assistant Chief Executive Officer.

(Women Division)

Faafetai Koria - Assistant Chief Executive Officer. (Research Division) Ana Leau Vaasa Teo - Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Youth Division) Kamu Luagalau - Principal Officer (Internal Affairs)

6. FINDINGS The Ministry of Women Affairs was established in 1990. It was merged with the Ministry of Internal Affairs along with the Youth Division under the Ministerial and Departmental Arrangement Act 2003 and was made as a single Ministerial Department known as the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development.

It has presented its Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly according to provisions in Section 18 (2) of the Ministry of Women Affairs Act l990, Section 17 (2) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Act l995, and Section 17(2) of the Ministry of Youth Sports and Cultural Affairs Act 1993/1994. The Committee has noted during its findings, the attainment of other objectives approved by the Cabinet on important policies in moving forward and improving the services of the Ministry in future. l. Policy For Women and Plan of Action 20l0/2015 2.

Community Sector Plan 2010/2015 The Committed observed the yearly work outputs that were measured against the work performance indicators as set out in the Ministry’s Corporate Plan. The Ministry continues to prioritize programs in developing the Community especially Youths, Women and Children and persons with disabilities to seek the Village Representatives and Village Women Representatives in order for the Ministry to govern its implementation.

6.1 Internal Affairs Division This division of the Ministry strives to sustain its services and programs in upholding Communities as well as strengthening social and economic as well as, to preserve customs and traditions in keeping a secure community. One other responsibility of this Division is in ensuring that the Agricultural Development continues to yield crops in maintaining the Country’s food Supply.

The program’s outline and public broadcast were through the collaboration of mayors, government representatives and mayor’s committee. One of the works that was achieved by this Division was in preparing the Performance Framework Matrix-Details 2011- 2012, which serves to guide the Corporate Plan on Social Development.

The Ministry attempted to merge within the Performance Framework a program that involves Social Development and Private Corporation vocations. This is an opportunity in building relations between the Government and Private Corporation to assist in areas that the Government has not fulfilled.

6.2 Youth Division: The Youth Division is involved in Programs that seek to develop youths and determine its responsibilities and services by developing its Social, Economic and Lifeskills Services as well as Administering Pursuing and investigating these Programs.

It prepared two (2) Youth policies in continuing work that culminated by 2001-2010.

The Ministry has implemented a Program in continuing the Youth Program by utilizing the Community Plan, and it is one of the objectives in the Youth Development Program.

6.3 Women Division:

The Women Division is responsible in implementing the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC). The Ministry has executed its program in strengthening the duty and responsibility undertaken by the Village Representatives and Village Women Representatives and responsible liaison officers. According to the Ministry, the Village Representatives and Village Women Representatives have carried out their responsibilities well. The Committee noted a total of forty two (42) monthly meetings inclusive of seminars and workshops of Village Representatives (VRs) that were coordinated and conducted. This program also served as orientation sessions for newly recruited VRs as well as capacity building on mediation at village level.

6.4 Faleula Committee Division:

The Committee observed the importance of this program in sustaining traditions, customs and cultural values. The Ministry stated that it has achieved one of its activities from the corporate plan in completing the Tusi Faalupega 2012 edition and it is an accomplishment in updating salutations between villages and villagers. There is a new program under the control of the Committee that is broadcasted on TV. called “O le Toe Sasaa le Fafao”. This Program serves to inform customs and traditions and is an advisory Committee by providing perspectives on reducing poverty.

6.5 Printing Division: The Ministry of Women and Ministry of Finance has completed deliberation on the Ministry’s Printing Services debt as the Ministry of Finance has recommended that an Inter-transaction Department be established within the Ministry to monitor transactions with other Ministries and to seek ways in directly paying loans from its set budget. The Ministry stated that there are plans in making this Division independent.

7. RECOMMENDATIONS: Based on its Findings the Committee recommends to the Government:

l. To advise the Ministry of Finance in assigning appropriate sums in the Main Budget to the Ministry as it is noted the wide-ranging and important plans of the Ministry in ensuring the welfare of the country that cannot be reached due to monetary constraints.

2. For the Ministry to consider in continuing "o le Sasaa le Fafao” Program due to its importance to future generations.

3. To implement an examination to making the Printing Division into a State Owned Enterprise

8. RESOLUTION At the conclusion of its consideration, the Committee resolved to recommend the Assembly: That the P.P 2012/2013 No.16, Annual Report of the Ministry of Women. Community and the Social Development for the Period ended 30th June 2011, and the P.P 2012/2013 No.1, Annual Report of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development for the Period ended 30th June 2012 be approved.

Hon. GATOLOAIFAANA Amataga A. Gidlow CHAIRPERSON

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E) has launched an investigation to find the culprits responsible for dumping rubbish Malololelei.

The issue was raised by a concerned member of the public, Lui Winterstein, who took photos of the truck involved and sent it to the Samoa Observer last weekend.

The photos were published on the front page of the Samoa Observer on Monday.

“I think the truck belongs to a certain church up here at Malololelei,” Mr. Winterstein said.

“I couldn’t get the picture of the license plate number but I wrote the number down. It’s 14633."

“I want to share these pictures with your readers to show what’s been happening up here. It’s been happening a lot and now I have finally caught these people trashing our environment.”

The Chief Executive Officer of M.N.R.E, Suluimalo Amataga Penaia, said the Ministry takes the matter seriously.

“We are looking to find out where in Malololelei the truck dumped the rubbish and who the truck belongs to,” said Suluimalo.

“Our lawyer will also look into the matter and the lawyer will decide whether we proceed to prosecute the truck owner.”

With that in mind, Suluimalo said that there are also other steps to follow.

“We have to issue them a warning, and if they still won’t listen then we will prosecute them.”

Suluimalo confirmed that it is an offense to dump rubbish anywhere.

“It is in the Waste Management Act 2010,” he pointed out.

“There is a law that requires people to dump waste in areas that the government has already authorized for waste only.”

Suluimalo said the attitude of people, such as the ones responsible for trashing Malololelei, is disappointing.

He noted that there has been a strong community effort, including the Keep Samoa Clean project, to look after the environment in terms of cleaning up rubbish.

The C.E.O again called on everyone to work with the government and private sector organisations who have committed to help keep Samoa clean.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

ABOUT DUMPING RUBBISH:

20. General offences related to wastes–(1) A person who

Deposits or dumps wastes at a place other than an approved landfill or waste dump so as to cause pollution to a public area or to land belonging to the government or to another person Commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine:

(a) Not exceeding 50 penalty units or to imprisonment

For a term not exceeding 3 months, or both, for an individual; or

(b) Not exceeding 100 penalty units, or to imprisonment

For a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, for a corporation, or an individual who has committed an offence against this section on a previous occasion

Waste Management Act 2010 (2) A person who:

(a) Throws or deposits any waste; (b) Discharges or permits the discharge of any waste;

(c) Causes the depositing or discharge of any waste, on or in the vicinity of a roadway, vacant land or foreshore, or into any river, stream, creek, pool, well, lake, mangrove or the sea commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine— (i) Not exceeding 50 penalty units, in the Case of an individual; or

(ii) Not exceeding 100 penalty units, in the Case of a corporation, or an individual who has committed an offence against this section on a previous occasion

(3) A person who disposes of wastes from residential or

Commercial premises in a public waste receptacle that is designated as not being for the disposal of such wastes, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine:

(a) Not exceeding 5 penalty units, for an individual; or

(b) Not exceeding 20 penalty units, for a corporation, or

An individual who has committed an offence against this section on a previous occasion.

23. Prosecutions under this Act

(1)Prosecutions for offences against this Act may be undertaken by the Office of the Attorney General, police officers, environment officers, authorized officers under laws relating to public health, and officers of approved waste management operators who are authorized by the Chief Executive Officer of the approved operator.

(2)If prosecutions are undertaken by an approved waste management operator, the costs of any legal practitioner retained by an approved authority for that purpose may be ordered by a court to be paid to the approved waste management operator.

(3) In addition to imposing a fine for any offence against

This Act, the court may order that the offender is to pay to the relevant approved waste management operator, the cost of removing and disposing of any waste to which the offence relates.

Less than two months after he was re-sworn as an Associate Minister, Member of Parliament, Lafaitele Patrick Leiataualesa, is off to Jakarta, Indonesia, this week.

Lafaitele, who is the Associate Minister of Finance, is representing Samoa at the Asia Pacific Outreach Meeting on Sustainable Development Financing.

The meeting is following up on issues as agreed upon by world leaders at Rio+20, the global development agenda expanding beyond poverty reduction and MDGs, incorporating issues such as infrastructure, social development, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, for which it is critical to secure appropriate courses of finance.

Over 30 countries from the region will be represented at the meeting by leading public and private sector figures. Lafaitele is being accompanied by Assistant Chief Executive of the Economic Planning Division, Leiataua Henry Ah Ching.

Cabinet has approved the participation by a representative from Samoa at the New Zealand Parliamentary Staff Study Programme for the Pacific on 16 – 20 June 2014.

The programme is assisted by the New Zealand Parliament, and will include practical sessions and working groups in order to share experiences of parliaments across the Pacific region, and for participants to explore their own areas of interests in parliamentary procedure.

Legislative Assembly Sector Coordinator, Yonita Mary Aiga Tuia will represent Samoa at the programme.

The owner of Georgie’s Pizza, Vanilla, swears by it.

Having joined the Pacific Business Mentoring Programme (P.B.M.P) at the start of 2012, Vanilla says the programme has been a tremendous help to their business.

“I think the most useful thing I’ve gotten out of it is that it gave me a lot of confidence in myself,” she says.

“They give really good advice that really builds my self-esteem. I was always negative about the things that I did, but it was through them that I managed to become positive about things.”

As part of the programme, a mentor visits the business every six months to work with them.

And looking to the future, Georgie’s Pizza is planning to continue to take advantage of the programme, for years to come.

There are many other local companies like Georgie’s Pizza.

For the past four years, the programme has helped over 150 small and medium size Samoan businesses grow and become successful.

This week, P.B.M.P Country manager, John Helsdon, is in Apia to encourage more small businesses to join.

As part of this, he is giving a presentation at 12pm at the Small Business Enterprise Centre tomorrow.

Business owners who are interested in joining the programme are welcomed.

New Zealand Aid funds the event and the programme so it is free.

The Programme was set up four years ago when Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation (P.I.P.S.O) asked Business Mentor New Zealand (B.M.N.Z) for help with mentoring businesses in the Pacific.

The long-term aim is to have an impact on sustainable economic growth in the Pacific region through increased participation of businesses in local and international markets.

It now operates in nine Pacific countries.

Each business that joins the programme has a mentor, who is an experienced businessperson from New Zealand.

The mentors visit Samoa every six months to mentor them one-on-one and create action plans.

“These business mentors help with whatever the business needs because they’ve got a lot of experience,” Mr. Helsdon says.

“Usually its planning, usually its marketing, usually its organizational skills, how to apply for funds, how to recruit better staff.”

The programme is all about helping the economy, especially in the tourism and agricultural sectors.

“We try to help substitute imports.

If we can produce something here instead of bringing it in, it helps the economy.”

Antonio Eteuati is a happy man.

Yesterday, the 22-year-old became the second lucky winner of the $5,000 prize from the Vailima’s ‘Under the Cap’ promotion.

Mr. Eteuati had just finished working at Sails Restaurant on Saturday 7 June when he opened the beer that had the winning cap.

“I just felt good,” he said. “Real happy, one hundred per cent happy.”

The promotion began in March and so far $20,400 has been redeemed.

But Vailima’s Marketing Manager, Agnes Fruean, says there is a lot more to be won.

“We’ve still got $36,800 out in the market, still in the bottles, still to be collected in.”

There is one more $5,000 prize to be won, five $1,000 prizes to be won, thirteen $500 prizes to be won, and $20,300 in small amounts between $5 and $100.

Ms. Fruean says that the promotion helped increase their sales, and that doing another promotion in the future is on the cards.

“It created excitement in the market.

So people that would normally buy beer just for enjoyment, are now getting something extra on top of just buying a drink.”

The latest winner, Mr. Eteuati, lives in Vailele and plans to give the money to his parents.

The promotion ends on 27 June so that is the last day for the caps to be redeemed.

The Australian Pacific Technical College (A.P.T.C.) welcomed two new additions to its teaching staff yesterday, trainers Daniella Ah Leong Leota and Tuasivi Kaleopa.

Following three and a half years of training, the two former studetns of the college became the first local trainers to work for A.P.T.C.

A.P.T.C. Country Manager Francis Howes said the new trainers are a part of A.P.T.C.’s strategy for the nationalisation of the college.

She said Yesterday’s celebration is “a milestone and a very important step in that process.”

The nationalisation of the training within the college aims to have Pacific Islanders training and delivering international qualifications throughout the Pacific.

There are other local trainers already in other A.P.T.C. branches in other Pacific islands she said.

Mrs. Leota is also the first female from the Pacific to qualify as trainer said Ms Howes.

She said the new trainers “have met the requirements that an international Australian trainer is required to meet to teach these qualifications.”

These requirements include their industry experience and training qualifications.

Mr. Kaleopa and Mrs. Ah Leong Leota have both been mentored and coached since they begun with A.P.T.C. Ms. Howes said acknoweldgement should go to Steve Johnson the trainer in commercial cookery here in Samoa and Dave Holack, the trainer for welding and fabrication.

She said both men have been directly responsible for the training of the pair.

Following their promotion Mrs. Ah Leong Leota will be teaching Certificate 3 of the Hospitality and Commercial Cooking while Mr. Kaleopa teaching Certificate 3 of Engineering, Fabrication and Welding.

Mr. Kaleopa was overwhelmed by his achievement.

He was in tears as he told the people gathered at the celebration that the past three years to become a tranier with A.T.P.C. was “hard work”.

“I walked into A.P.T.C. with nothing, but today it’s a happy day of my life to become a recognised trainer here in Samoa and Australia.”

He gave thanks to God for his support and acknowledged the Australian and Samoan governments for their partnership that has allowed him to study at A.P.T.C. as well as being promoted to trainer.

“A.P.T.C. has up skilled and upgraded our knowledge that will stay with us throughout our lives,” he said.

He also paid a special thank you to Ms Howes, the A.P.T.C. staff, tutors, the administration staff, trainers and his family. Mr. Kaleopa said it was their love and support that has allowed him to come this far in his career.

When asked how he will assist students of his own, he said that A.P.T.C. provided him and Mrs. Ah Leong Leota with the tools during their coaching to address the different issues that could arise with having students from different countries in their classes.

Mrs. Ah Leong Leota thanked the Australian government for the opportunity.

“Before we were here we didn’t expect this to be a big picture but now A.P.T.C. has flourished...we have benefitted and especially our families,” she said.

She thanked her family and her mentor Steven Johnson for the support.

“Come and join A.P.T.C. because it is blossoming and helping our industry build up its economy,” she said.

A.P.T.C. is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The aim is to build capacity by up skilling and upgrading those that attend the college.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has back-tracked on his support for street vendors who are selling their goods on footpaths around Apia because that was wrong.

This time he is kicking them out of the footpaths saying he is now doing what is right.

He told Radio 2AP on Thursday that in the past he was sympathetic with them which was what caused him to do the wrong thing.

“They came to me for help and I felt sorry for them,” Tuilaepa said. “I didn’t know that I was helping them do what was wrong, but what the government workers are now doing is what should be done."

Said Tuilaepa:“It was my love for them that caused me to support what was wrong.”

This time Tuilaepa reminds that roads are made for cars, footpaths are meant for people to walk on, and the market is where people sell their goods.

These comments of his are a marked contrast to his stand in February last year when he scolded police officers for chasing away street vendors selling goods on footpaths.

He said then that the police officers should concentrate on other important things “and find something better to do” than chase street vendors away.

In response, the Assistant Police Commissioner at the time, Leaupepe Fatu Pula, said it was clear under the Police Offences Act that people could sell their goods on the footpaths provided they paid the required permits and business licenses.

However, just this week the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.), issued a warning to those people who have set up tents adjacent to the Accident Compensation Corporation (A.C.C.) Building, to remove them.

M.N.R.E. Chief Executive Officer Suluimalo Amataga Penaia, said the move was a part of the beautification of Apia programme in preparation for the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) Conference, scheduled for September.

He pointed out that keeping public areas clean was the responsibility of the Ministry, and added:

“Already they've been assigned areas they can go to sell their goods and yet they are going wherever they please."

“We don’t want them to go all over the place,"

he said. "And if you look at the tents, they are very untidy and they reflect (badly on) Samoa."

Suluimalo explained: “That is why we are enforcing them to move away from these areas.

Otherwise they can can (even go as far as set up their stalls) in front of the Government Building.”

However, it appears that Tuilaepa's mind is made up.

He says when the Fugalei Market is completed that is when the Police should start chasing vendors away from the footapaths in accordance with the law.

He adds: “At the moment the law is enforced, and then it’s stopped because of this love, this love that makes things go wrong."

“But once the market is completed, the market will be used, the roads are for cars, the footpaths are for people to walk on, and the market is for vendors to sell their goods."

Samoa's former minister of finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, has been appointed by the Prime Minister to be the new Associate Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, according to a report from RNZI.

Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi is quoted as saying Faumuina will be of great assistance to the Environment Minister because he has experience and knowledge as a former minister of the same ministry.

Faumuina resigned as Minister of Finance on 16 April 2014 under much pressure following allegations of corruption made against him in Controller and Chief Auditor, Fuimaono Afele Camillo's report, for 2009-2010.

When he resigned during an address in Parliament, he broke down in tears, saying: “Only God knows. I’m not mad at anyone.”

He told the House as tears were flowing freely from his cheeks: "I believe God allows these things to test the faith of people who trust in Him.”

When Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, accepted Faumuina’s resignation he acknowledged Faumuina’s contribution to the development of the country saying 14 years of service to Parliament is not a short period of time.

He also praised Faumuina’s bravery in implementing a number of projects that many politicians were scared of. Among them, he said, was the transformation of a Ministry previously known as a “Ministry of Waste”, to what is known today as a “well run” Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.

And then addressing Faumuina, Tuilaepa told him: “Don't forget that God has blessed you with many talents."

“The end of your service in this area will mean your availability to serve in another area.”

Tuilaepa also announced that a new Minister of Finance would be sworn in at 4pm on Friday, 25 April 2014.

“It will not be an easy decision,” he said. “Everyone in this party is a professor.”

As it turned out though, it was Tuilaepa who appointed himself the new Minister of Finance.

On the night he resigned however, Faumuina, for the first time broke his long held silence over numerous allegations against him.

Speaking during a Ministerial statement allowed by the Speaker of Parliament, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao - despite objections to it – Faumuina maintained his innocence, saying he acted in the best interest of the government and the people of Samoa.

Among the questions he addressed were: • Questions surrounding his time at as the Minister of Works;

• Questions surrounding the South Pacific Games 2007;

• Questions surrounding the Samoa Land Corporation;

• Questions surrounding the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa; • Questions surrounding the Unit Trust of Samoa.

Faumuina addressed the questions during a statement delivered at the beginning of Parliament’s debate over the Officers of Parliament Committee report into the Controller and Chief Auditor’s Report for 2009 and 2010.

During his tenure as the Minister of Works, Faumuina told Parliament his task was not easy because he had to implement a number of plans – including downsizing the Ministry.

These plans, he said, had been in the pipeline for sometime and yet there was lack of “political will” to see them through. So when he started to move these plans, he encountered many problems.

He dismissed criticisms against his handling of S.P.G facilities saying such facilities were built to international standards.

“There was a lot of criticism about the facilities,” he admitted. “But the long-term vision at the time was looking far beyond 2007, the government’s vision was to attract world tournaments to be held in Samoa.” “We have already seen this happen.”

As for S.R.O.S and U.T.O.S, the Minister said these organisations play a vital in the development of Samoa. He said S.R.O.S and U.T.O.S are both flourishing because there is clearly a need for the services they provide.

The Minister also strongly defended his behaviour as the Minister of S.L.C. In a detailed response to the allegations raised in the Controller and Chief Auditor’s report as well as the O.P.C Report, Faumuina said S.L.C had addressed questions raised by the Auditor but their response had been rejected.

About the shortfalls in revenue, he said this was normal because budgeted revenue can never be the same as actuals.

Losing money during the Siva Afi Court case was not the Corporation’s fault, the Minister said. He blamed the Court saying the “judge was slack.”

A water drilling truck, which cost the Corporation millions, was also defended by the Minister, who said the purchase of it saved the government millions more. He said the purchase was necessary because the Samoa Water Authority’s truck was not going to be available for at least five years.

As a result, it would have cost the government nearly $10 million to transport water to Falelauniu over that period of time.

Faumuina told Parliament that from 1990 to 2006 government had received only $2 million from S.L.C. with a debt of $21 million.

During his tenure, the $2 million ballooned to $15.9 million and the debt has since been fully paid.

As for the $340,000 Lexus, Faumuina apologised for violating Cabinet’s procurement policies saying he was merely keen on saving the environment.

He, however, strongly rejected claims that his wife was a shareholder in a landscaping company involved with the Faleata Golf Course.

Faumuina’s Ministerial statement was also the subject of a heated debate among Members of Parliament.

Whereas Opposition leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II rejected it arguing that a Ministerial statement cannot be challenged, the Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, said Faumuina should use Parliamentary privileges to respond.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa disagreed with Fiame but then the Speaker eventually that Faumuina could deliver his Ministerial address.

Prior to the Minister’s Ministerial statement that night, Prime Minister Tuilaepa moved a motion for Parliament to adopt 38 reports without debate so “that we can get on to the Officers of Parliament committee report.”

But Palusalue objected.

“Mr. Speaker all these reports are very important and all the Members of the House want to speak about them, especially this side,” he said.

“There are a lot of serious matters that we should be looking at into these reports.”

Palusalue said such a motion is “usually moved towards the end of a Parliamentary sitting.

“But we’ve still got a long way to go before the end of this sitting.”

Palusalue urged Parliament to discuss each report.

But Tuilaepa disagreed.

“Mr. Speaker, the final word about these reports is the response from the government,” he said. “What’s the point when a lot of these reports are dated? The reports we need are reports about today, what’s happening now, current reports.”

“I also spoke with the leader of the Opposition and he advised me to complete our work tonight and we agreed.”

Palusalue denied this.

“We did not agree on passing 38 reports without debate, I want to make sure of that.”

Speaker La’auli supported Tuilaepa.

“If we leave these 30 plus reports, it will lapse in May. We will no longer be able to discuss it.”

“It’s much better to move a motion now that the government has officially accepted all these reports, then the government will respond to the concerns raised by the Committees and the Chairs.”

“It’s much better than when all these reports become pointless in May.”

Palusalue insisted that their objection to the motion to put on the record.

“Mr. Speaker, perhaps the leader of the Opposition doesn't understand that we can remove the motion and then all these reports will become useless and the government wouldn't have to respond.”

Tuilaepa said the government C.E.O’s have complained that when they turn up to Committee meetings, there is no quorum, which in return delays the reports.

“So I can remove the motion and then all these reports will lapse and become useless.”

To Palusalue, Tuilaepa said: “Stop playing politics, you are coming with such bad politics, you are looking to score some points. “

“I’m telling you an easy way to allow the government to respond after all these reports are adopted and accepted.”

Try scoring was not in the game plan when Manu Samoa defeated Italy 15-0 in a lacklustre game at Apia Park on Saturday.

Despite Italy being penalised frequently, Manu Samoa chose not to back themselves to score tries and opted for the safe option of kicking even when they were leading 12-0 in the second half.

Clearly superior in the scrums and getting more than a fair share of ball from the line outs, the Manu also failed to capitalise on a large share of the ball while the referee, interrupted any flow of the game by delivering lectures at many of the breakdowns which made for a stop-start affair.

The crowd finally rose to their feet in the last quarter of the game when it looked as though Manu Samoa had scored.

Sadly it was not to be and the referee blew his whistle and the cheering died out as quickly as it had begun as the try was disallowed.

Manu Samoa is ranked eighth by the I.R.B. and whilst coach Stephen Betham was able to give most of his squad game time, he is no doubt aware that his coaching team has a huge job ahead.

Meanwhile 14th ranked Italy, can point to the fact that with dogged defence, they kept the home side tryless on a slightly greasy field despite being continuously out muscled and out played in the scrums.

After the match, captain David Lemi said the mistakes made are lessons for the team to improve on in their next game against Fiji next week.

“I think we said from the beginning of this week we will improve but I was a bit disappointed with how we handled the ball,” he said.

“We missed out on some opportunities but hats off to the forwards who fought their way ahead.”

Team Manager Namulau’ulu Sami Leota agreed.

“We got a win and it was a game that was fought hard by the forwards,” he said.

“The condition on the field stopped us from working on the plan so there was a lot of kicking from the players.”

“It was wet and that changed the game plan with a lot of conversions but fortunately for us, we came up with a win and that’s the main thing.”

In previous encounters, Manu Samoa has had the better of the European side on four out of five occasions.

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The Italian Rugby team Azzurri, that went head to head with the Manu Samoa at the Apia Park Stadium yesterday afternoon has blamed the heat for their disappointing 15-0 loss.

Captain Quintin Geldenhuys when asked what happened out on the field, said his team was “struggling with the heat”.

This had a great influence on their performance out there on the field.

The team also had to deal with a slippery field caused by sudden rain during the first and second halves of the game.

"Their struggle with the heat constantly left his players drained of energy," said Geldenhuys.

He said they also had issues with keeping the ball in their grasp.

That also had a lot to do with the pressure they were under as they took on the challenge of performing in yesterday’s 31 degrees Celsius temperature.

“It takes a lot of energy out of you,” he said.

Geldenhuys also gave credit to the Manu Samoa team for their strong game play.

“They put us under a lot of pressure.”

He claimed that as a result of that pressure, “we never saw the ball.”

Also every time they tried to attack “we lost the ball”. This is not the first time that Italy has played on the Manu Samoa’s home front.

Geldenhuys is however looking forward to the opportunity to play against the Manu Samoa in November.

This time, the Manu Samoa will be playing on their home front in November.

“There’s a new challenge there and we’ll see what will happen then,” he said.

Next week, Manu Samoa will be up against Fiji.

An American Samoa taskforce says the Government needs to work with neighbouring countries to develop sea transport if it wants to expand the territory’s market.

The taskforce is working on the Economic Development Implementation Plan and says ocean transportation is part of the infrastructure that needs to be developed.

The taskforce recommends expanding the American Samoa market to include Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Wallis & Futuna and the Cook Islands.

And it says the Government must study the business model of the Samoa Shipping Corporation and the subsidisation policies of the Samoan Government.

The taskforce also says Samoa trains sailors and navigators, and the ferry between Upolu and Savaii islands is efficiently operated by skilled Samoa trained crews.

Efforts by local farmers to address the glut of talo in Samoa have hit a snag.

Local markets are flooded with underpriced bundles of talo with some at the cost of $10 and $5; if it’s a really bad day.

For some farmers, the next best option seemed to be to export talo to American Samoa, the nearest overseas market.

But the future of that market is uncertain with the price dropping, numerous fees and with farmers again are being left with real doubts about the viability.

At the Matautu wharf on Thursday, there were plenty of sacks of talo ready to be shipped off to American Samoa.

For seven years, Tapu Oloaga from Falealili has been sending sacks of talo to American Samoa on the Lady Naomi ferry.

“In the past years, the market was promising but I can’t say the same thing about its future,” said Mr. Oloaga.

The farmer said talo was in short supply in American Samoa in the past, but not anymore.

“People in Pago are starting to work their own plantations,” he said.

“Just recently, their price on the talo has dropped,” he said.

“And that is because the people there are selling their own talo from their plantations at a much lower rate and that leaves us with trouble.”

“For us, it means that sending these talo is unprofitable but where else can we take them?”

Mr. Oloaga said not only the price in American Samoa has fallen but the “numerous paper work and fees at the wharf” is not helpful.

He pointed out that a pound is 50c which is equivalent to $1.00 per kilogram.

Mr. Oloaga said the process of sending talo is “complicated, expensive and consumes a lot of time going from one place to another.”

“For the 15 sacks of talo, I have to pay $1,600,” he said.

“Quarantine also has a fee of $14 for the sacks, while at Customs, you are required to pay $10 for the paper work,” he added.

“There’s a fee of $16 for shipping and the wharf also has their own fee."

“You would think the pallet would be for free since you don’t take it with you; it stays with the office but they charge $15 for using it to place your talo on it and then another $8.

“After sending the sacks, I spend about $2,000 on the process and it’s just not worth it with all the hard work, time and the long drive to town.”

Asked why go on with exporting the talo if it’s not profitable, Mr. Oloaga said he does it for their village.

“Where else will our village take their talo with the situation at the market?” said Mr. Oloaga.

“This is our help to our villagers to send their talo to a market where it’s not wasted and will guarantee some money back."

“The government should assist us with reducing the fees and to make the market much easier for us to access than the long complicated processes.”

Mr. Oloaga operates a plantation and also helps farmers from Satalo, Vaovai and Matautu of Falealili by sending their sacks to American Samoa.

The farmer suggested that the responsible offices that have fees for shipments should have a central based office at Matautu to make it convenient for people to pay all their fees at one place.

Leuo Taugauli Mariner from Vaisaulu Savai’i agrees.

For months Leuo has been shipping talo to American Samoa but since the rate dropped in late March, he has decided to cease the operation.

“It wasn’t worth it,” he said shaking his head.

“Back then, I’d catch the ferry from Savai’i;

that costs me $100 for the vehicle to bring the talo here."

“There was that, then the many fees at the wharf from customs, shipping and Ports Authority, it was just a lot of side expenses."

“After taking away all the expenses, transportation of talo to the wharf there is barely any profit…it was just not worth it.”

Leuo said he used to supply about ten restaurants in American Samoa.

But after the drop from US$1 to 80c for a pound, he decided the option was no longer profitable.

The farmer from Vaisaulu also blamed business people who buy sacks of talo and sell them in American Samoa at a very competitive price.

“I wasn’t able to lower the price for my talo compared to the rate given by these business people,” he said.

“It saddens me that we farmers work hard to grow our crops and fight to get markets but it’s business people with money who are making it difficult for us to keep our prices at a rate that is reasonable."

“They offer a much lower prices to prevent us farmers from getting that extra dollar,” complained Leuo.

“I wish there was some law that gave us low income farmers the benefit of selling our goods without the competition from big businesses that have money.”

Leuo was at the wharf yesterday with his sacks of talo to ship off to American Samoa.

This time the sacks of talo were not for him to sell and make some money, but to help his relatives fa’alavelave.

Gauvao Malolo from Lefaga was also at Matautu.

It was his first time sending his talo to the island and already he’s feeling the sting.

“I didn’t think it would be this difficult with the paper work and fees,” said Mr. Malolo. “I used to sell my talo at the market and also to some restaurants but since the local market has fallen, I decided this would be a better option."

“But I think this will be my last time in sending talo to Pago."

“From my calculations, there isn’t much profit after all the fees and expenses.”

Mr. Malolo said he is now looking for containers being shipped off to New Zealand and the United States with the hope it would give him a better price for his talo.

The Samoa Ports Authority Chief Executive Officer, Tufuga Fagaloa Tufuga said it’s the Shipping Corporation that deals with cargo at the wharf.

He said the Authority only has a wharfage fee for any ship that arrives in Samoa.

“The wharfage fee is for anyone to pay for handling of cargo at the wharf and we have our own formula of that depending on the size of the piece,” he said.

Tufuga also agreed that a centralised office is something worth considering “I think that the government agencies should look at a centralised place for the different agencies,” he said.

“Customs is doing their best but a centralised place is definitely something that the government should look at for convenience.”

It was not possible to get a comment from the General Director of the Shipping Corporation yesterday.

His secretary said he was busy with meetings but would get back when he was available.

In the lead up to the biggest event on their sporting calendar Special Olympics Samoa (S.O. Samoa) athletes competed to for their chance to represent our country on the world stage.

Last Friday saw the S.O. Samoa host its monthly games with athletes competing in athletics, bocce, football and international cricket.

C.E.O. of S.O. Samoa, Tusitina Nu’uvali said it was at this particular Games where volunteers nominated athletes for the two sports they thought best suited them.

She said the athletes would compete in these sports at next month’s National Games with the outcome determining which athletes would represent Samoa in their respective disciplines at the Special Olympic World Games to be held in Las Angeles in July next year.

Ms. Nu’uvali, says this selection process is two-fold – not only does the athletes’ ability play a part, but their enjoyment of the sport is also taken into account.

“It’s all about fun, fun, fun,” she said.

According to Ms. Nu’uvali volunteers from the Football Federation Samoa (F.F.S.), the Samoa International Cricket Association (S.I.C.A.) and the Australia-Pacific Technical College (A.P.T.C.) will help to train selected athletes over the coming year.

Ms. Nu’uvali said events such as the National Games and the World Games would not be made possible with out key supporters such as Digicel Samoa.

She said the company was their biggest supporter - always there ready to help.

S.O. Samoa cannot put a dollar figure on what Digicel has given to them she said.

The athletes from Fiamalamalama School, Loto Taumafai Society for People with Disabilities, and Senese Inclusive Education usually come together on the last Thursday of every month to create mixed teams depending on their age and ability, said Ms. Nu’uvali.

However, she said, because of the National Games selection process, this month the teams remained separate, so the S.O.

Samoa volunteers were able to watch and assess each child’s strengths for nominations.

According to Ms. Nu.uvali the National Games won’t just be for athletes based near Apia, but for all athletes across Upolu and Savai’i.

She said the National Games are a great chance for the athletes to “create friendship with other peers all over the islands.”

S.O. Samoa also prides itself on providing job opportunities for local unemployed youth.

They encourage unemployed youth to volunteer with them to gain experience in coaching, so they can then become certified coaches.

“S.O. Samoa coaches are extra special coaches,” Ms Nu’uvali said.

“Mum plus dad plus mentor plus volunteer equals a Special Olympics coach.”

Ms. Nu’uvali says the biggest reward is seeing the athletes happy, the parents enjoying watching, and the volunteers being productive.

“We’re all here because of the athletes,” she said.

“They do it with such determination.

“They are the athletes, they are the stars, they are the priority,” she said.

Australian volunteer Jane Elliot added, “Calling them athletes gives them pride.”

A shortage of staff and medicinal drugs available at the Tupa Tamasese Meaole Hospital were two issues faced by the National Health Service during the 2009- 2010 financial year.

In its report on the Report on the National Health Services 2009-2010, the Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee (H.S.S.I.A.C.S.D.) Committee noted that nurses and doctors are overworked due to the limited staff.

Gatoloaifaana Amataga Gidlow serves as this Committee’s chairperson.

“Private practitioners are used to surmount the problem the hospital is currently facing,” the report reads.

“The Tupua Tamasese Meaole (T.T.M.) Hospital is currently engaged in a partnership program with New Zealand and Australia to assist with the provision of specialised doctors to Samoa.”

For this reason, the Committee made a specific recommendation to government.

“That the Corporation seek for specialist in specific services in order to avoid having to utilise overseas Specialist that require a high level of salary,” according to the report.

In addition to the staff shortage, the Committee noted that the T.T.M. Hospital’s Pharmaceutical Division also encountered challenges.

“It includes the difficulty of ensuring that medicine is distributed equally amongst hospital branches in Samoa,” the H.S.S.I.A.C.S.D. reports.

“The Pharmaceutical Division is currently working on attaining medicine/medical drugs that can cure diseases but in in align with government policies.

“It has been a new initiative of the Division to acquire a computer that can monitor drugs available and those needed to purchase so as to ensure that medical drugs/medicine is sufficient to cater the needs of its people.”

In regards to this Division the Committee recommended to government that the Corporation conduct a research on overseas countries pharmaceutical sections.

“To find special chemicals that are used and needed for medical operations of the general public,” the report reads.

In addition to Gatoloaifaana, Aeau Peniamina Leavaiseeta served as the Committee’s Deputy Chairperson and Motuopuaa Aisoli Vaai, Ifopo Matia Filisi, Aveau Nikotemo Palamo, Sooalo Mene, Tofa Alo Fulifuli Taveuveu served as members.

The report is republished in full below:

1. RECOMMENDATION:- The Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee recommends that the Assembly takes note of its Report.

2. PREAMBLE:- The Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee is constituted pursuant to the provisions of Standing Orders 171.

3. STANDING ORDERS 171:- In

accordance with the provisions of Standing Orders 171 it shall be the of the Committee to: (a) Consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Assembly or pursuant to these Standing Orders; and such Estimates or review of ministerial performance as maybe referred by the Finance & Expenditure Committee; (b) Examine the policy, administration and expenditure of ministries and associated government organisations related to health, housing and social services, internal affairs, community and development.

4. PAPER CONSIDERED

(Tabled 09/10/2013) (Referred 09/10/29013)

P.P. 2013/2014 No. 42, Report on the National Health Services 2009-2010

5. WITNESS The Committee during the course of its investigation on the National Health Service Annual Report 2009-2010 head evidence submitted by the Corporation:

Leota Lamositele Laki Sio -General Manager

Leilani M. Galuvao - Manager Finkin Misimoa - Internal Accountant 6. FINDINGS

The setting up of the National Health Services on 1 July 2006 was in recognition for the need to separate the service delivery roles for a reform in the health sector under the long term plan of the Government since 1990.

The Corporation is established under the National Health Services Act 2006, it is a state owned corporate body that is responsible to cater for the needs of the people of Samoa regarding health matters such as operation and research. Whereas the Ministry of Health is responsible for over plans, policies and monitoring of the services provided by other corporations for the Health Sector.

The Committee noted that this is the first Annual Report presented since its establishment in 2006, due to the fact that it was under the administration of the Ministry of Finance while awaiting the allocation of its Assets between the Ministry and the Service as it prepares for separation. Separation of services and functions is a good move as it will monitor the execution of work. The purpose behind the initiative is to ensure the continual development on the part of its services as well as the appropriate allocation of work performed.

National Health Service encountered two challenges in the examined year:

1. The spread of the contagious Flu virus H1N1 around the world which affected Samoa.

2. Tsunami on September 2009 These challenges added more to the already heavy workload of the Service at the time.

Despite such challenges, the Service was still able to accommodate thaose who were affected at the time. The National Health Service recognises the assistance offered by its overseas counterparts at the time. Committee also noted more challenges the National Health Services encounters during the years. Not only is there the effort to ensure its services provided to the public is of quality but also the collection of statistics on its financial report for the years 2006/2007, 2007/2008, and 2008/2009. These challenges were resolved as the National Health Service partnered up with other similar services and governmental management in seeking ways to impede the spread of the disease in the country. Despite such challenges, the National Health Service was still focussed on achieving its main goal and purpose.

6.1 Tupa Tamasese Meaole Hospital The Tupa Tamasese Meaole Hospital is the headquarters of all health services in the country. It is where large operations are being undertaken. It leads and assists other health service branches around the country.

Committee recognises that nurses and doctors are overworked due to the limited staff. Private practitioners are used to surmount the problem the hospital is currently facing. The Tupa Tamasese Meaole Hospital is currently engaged in a partnership program with New Zealand and Australia to assist with the provision of specialised doctors to Samoa.

6.2 Pharmaceutical Division This division deals with the purchase, storage and distribution of medical drugs/ medicine. It also ensures that all medicine is available to the public by ensuring that all hospitals in the country have them.

Committee noted that the Pharmaceutical division has also encountered challenges.

It includes the difficulty of ensuring that medicine is distributed equally amongst hospital branches in Samoa.

The Pharmaceutical Division is currently working on attaining medicine/medical drugs that can cure diseases but in in align with government policies. It has been a new initiative of the Division to acquire a computer that can monitor drugs available and those needed to purchase so as to ensure that medical drugs/medicine is sufficient to cater the needs of its people.

7. RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on its findings, the Committee recommends to Government to:

1. That the Corporation conduct a research on overseas countries Pharmacy Section, to find special chemicals that are used and needed for medical operations of the general public.

2. That the Corporation seek for specialist in specific services in order to avoid having to utilise overseas Specialist that require a high level of salary.

3. That the Corporation provide in its Annual Reports the Financial Statements.

8. RESOLUTION

At the conclusion of its consideration the Committee resolved to recommend the Assembly:

To approve P.P. 2013/2014 No. 42, Report on the National Health Services 2009-2010.

Hon. GATOLOAIFAANA Amataga Gidlow CHAIRPERSON 

ADog owners across the country are now required by law to have their dogs registered with the Samoa Police Force.

According to Police, starting today people must register their dogs or they could face fines or have their dogs impounded under the Canine Control Act 2013.

According to the Act the owner of any canine shall produce evidence of registration of his or her canine to any Canine Control Officer or to any Member of the Service when requested to do so.

“A person who refuses or fails to produce evidence of registration of his or her canine when required to do so under subsection commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding 2 penalty units,” the Act reads.

Acting Police Commissioner Fauono Talalelei Tapu says people must register their dogs in order to avoid them being taken away by Police.

“We are planning to do the registration in the town area first, before we go out to rural areas,” he said.

“The reason is that we’ve had complaints from tourists and from members of the public.

“They’ve been bitten, even the young ones walking to school are attacked by dogs.

“Some of the kids are seriously injured, so with this amendment it protects the public, not only the tourist but the public and the young ones.”

He said not only do dogs attack people, they also spread diseases.

“We are trying our best to get the public to look after their animals and to feed them,” said Fauono.

“There’s no use having ten, nine, seven dogs if they look skinny.”

He says each person 21 years or older is allowed to register three dogs to their name, at the rate of $5 tala per dog.

If people have more than three dogs, Fauono said an application can be made to Police to register more dogs.

He said if the application is approved each dog after the third will cost $10 to register.

Upon registration each dog will be given a collar with a number on it for easy identification of the owner.

The Acting Commissioner said there is no deadline yet for having your dog(s) registered, as Police are looking at conducting awareness programmes in villages to explain the new Act.

“We will also build a shelter at Tafaigata, and if we find the stray dogs wandering around we will catch them, and then we’ll keep them and feed them for six days,” Fauono said.

He said the owners have six days to claim their dogs, before they are humanely destroyed.

People are also allowed to go and purchase dogs from the shelter, said Fauono.

For the information of dog owners, republished below is Part IV of the Canine Control Act 2013 ‘Registration of Canines’.

PART IV of the CANINE CONTROL ACT 2013

– REGISTRATION OF CANINES

11. Liability of owner failing to produce registration receipt – (1) The owner of any canine shall produce evidence of registration of his or her canine to any Canine Control Officer or to any Member of the Service when requested to do so.

(2) A person who refuses or fails to produce evidence of registration of his or her canine when required to do so under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding 2 penalty units. (3) In any proceeding under this Act the person shown in the register to be the owner of a canine is regarded as the owner of the canine.

12. Registration marks, badges etc. – (1) The Police Commissioner may approve the use of any means for the identification of a registered canine. (2) A charge may be fixed and imposed by the Service in relation to any approved registration mark, badge, collar or any other device approved under subsection (1). (3) Duplicate registration marks, badges, collars or other approved devices may be issued on payment of their original cost and if the Service is satisfied that the original has been lost, stolen or become inoperable.

13. Penalty for canines not wearing approved marks, badges etc. – A person who permits his or her canine to be at large while not wearing, using or displaying an approved registration mark, badge or other device indicating current registration, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit.

14. Powers of Canine Control Officers to deal with canines – A Canine Control Officer have the following powers:

(a) to seize by any necessary means, any canine running at large and not wearing a required current registration mark;

(b) to seize any canine that is the subject of any breach of this Act;

(c) to detain a seized canine in a pound or other place determined by the Police Commissioner;

(d) to serve notice of the seizure of the canine on the registered owner of the canine, or any other person appearing to own the canine or have custody of it;

(e) to sell or destroy any canine that has been seized under paragraph (a) and which has not been claimed by its owner within 4 days of its seizure;

(f) to summarily destroy any canine found at large and which has attacked any person or animal, or which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe to may have so attacked any person or animal;

(g) to destroy any canine that is otherwise the subject of a breach of this Act.

15. Offences against this Part – (1) A person who does the following commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units:

(a) falsely makes or counterfeits any registration mark;

(b) purchases, uses or possesses any fraudulent or counterfeit registration mark; (c) has a canine found to be wearing a badge issued in respect of another canine; (d) removes any registration mark from a canine for any fraudulent purpose, or for any reason that is not consistent with the requirements of this Act. (2) A person who has any canine found, after 1 February in any year, wearing a registered mark issued in respect of any previous year commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding 2 penalty units.

16. Civil liability for breaches of this Part – (1) A person who wilfully and maliciously removes from the neck of a canine, the badge of registration or other device indicating current registration required by this Act to be worn by the canine, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to pay a fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit. (2) If a canine is destroyed as a result of breaching subsection (1), the person responsible shall pay to the canine’s owner the full value of the canine so destroyed.

Galu Tauasa and Ailini Falaniko- Filipo are now qualified to spread the word of God for the United Pentecostal Church of Samoa.

Graduating yesterday afternoon from the Church’s Acts II Bible College after two years of study, the Church’s President Rev. Bennie Blunt said the pair is now ready to go out into the country and start preaching the word of the Lord as evangelists and teachers.

He said the importance of this celebration is that Mr. Tauasa and Ms Falaniko-Filipo “are qualified to pastor”.

This means they are qualified to teach the word of the Lord, but it does not necessarily mean they are Reverends, he said.

“The importance of it is they are now firmly studied in the word of God and it prepares them for this ministry,” said Rev. Blunt.

Rev. Blunt said Mr. Tauasa now qualifies as a minister of the Church, however, Ms. Falaniko-Filipo can only work to in evangelism aspects of spreading the word of the Lord.

He said to become a Reverend for the Church there is a long screening process that has to be undertaken.

This process includes considering whether they also understand their calling.

Mr. Tauasa said the importance of the day is that he has graduated to spread the message of God and do the Lord’s work.

Ms. Falaniko-Filipo shared the same sentiments about her achievement.

Rev. Blunt is assisted by his wife Pat Blunt in teaching at the College.

He said the Theological Studies course is run by the Global Association of Theology Studies (G.A.T.S.) of the United Pentecostal Church worldwide.

This church exists in 200 countries around the world, said Rev. Blunt.

At a recent workshop for the Project Strengthening the resilience of Pacific agricultural systems to climate change through enhancing access to and use of diversity, held at the Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Training Centre (V.A.R.T.C.) on Espirito Santo, participants established the first Pacific breeders’ network

The network is the way forward to address the lack of breeders in the Pacific to sustain breeding research, and to strengthen the capacity of countries to carry out breeding.

As a long-term solution to address current challenges to food security, it is vital to breed a generation of resilient varieties of food crops that are rich in nutrients and tolerant to climate change and emerging pests and diseases.

The project is implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (S.P.C.) through its Land Resources Division’s Food and Nutrition Security Programme and its Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT).

It is funded by the Benefit-sharing Fund of the F.A.O. (UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation) International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

One of the components of the project includes a training-of-trainers workshop on participatory plant breeding and plant varietal selection.

The workshop was conducted by S.P.C. plant breeder, Tolo Iosefa, and V.A.R.T.C. technical experts, Tiata Sieye, Marie Melteras and Tari Molisale, with technical support provided by Dr Roger Malapa, Acting Chief Executive Officer of V.A.R.T.C. and root crop breeder, and Dr Abraham Kauttolamathil, yam breeder consultant from India.

The workshop participants were contracting parties to the Treaty (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Palau and Samoa), a participant from Marshall Islands, which is about to become an official party, and staff from V.A.R.T.C. and S.P.C.

They were all excited about the newly formed Pacific breeders’ network. The Pacific lacks breeders and there was no existing network before this.

Through this project S.P.C. has established strong partnerships with its country members to strengthen the regional breeders’ network.

For example, V.A.R.T.C. has produced some new hybrids of sweet potato with short nodes that are tolerant to atoll sandy conditions and produce good yields.

Some of these new varieties have been sent to the S.P.C. Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees for virus indexing and sharing with Pacific Island countries and the global community.

Palau, too, is interested, as Dr Aurora Del Rosario, Research Scientist from Palau explains.

‘In Palau, women are farmers and they would love to do breeding of taro, sweet potato, cassava and yam – something they haven’t done before. They would be excited to produce their own new varieties,’ he said.

One of the project outcomes is the sharing of climate-resilient varieties to support food security in the Pacific and the global community.

This is done under the auspices of the Treaty’s multilateral system through the S.P.C. CePaCT.

The current S.P.C. breeding projects are funded by the Australian Government, the Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the European Union, supported by S.P.C. plant breeder Tolo Iosefa, based in Samoa, and Dr Vincent Lebot, C.I.R.A.D. Scientific Coordinator for the E.U. International Network for Edible Aroids, based in Vanuatu.

These projects are focussed mainly on taro and xanthosoma.

At an inception project meeting held immediately prior to the workshop, participants discussed sending some seeds from this project to the Svalbard Global Vault in Norway, in collaboration with the Global Crop Diversity Trust and the Treaty. The aim is to ensure that Pacific crop diversity for its future generations is conserved.

For more information, please contact Valerie S. Tuia, Coordinator – Genetic Resources at Valeriet@ spc.int or the L.R.D. helpdesk (lrdhelpdesk@spc.int).