The Whip for the Tautua Party, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, has reminded Parliament that “a wife is the love of your life, not an asset.”

The Faleata West M.P. made the comment in response to Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ileleMalielegaoi, when Parliament reconvened on Tuesday.

“Your wife is not an asset,” said Lealailepule. “She is the love of your life.”

The exchange was made during the debate of the Personal Property Securities Amendment Bill 2014 where Tuilaepa claimed that even your wife could be used as an asset to secure a loan.

About the bill, the assets being used as security “are not new to us,” Tuilaepa said.

“Plantations have been used (to guarantee loans) by the Development Bank for a long time,” he said.

“But like what the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned, these things are required by the banks; cars, beds, television and your wife. It’s okay if your wife is not too old.”

Tuilaepa later added that “Banks need assets, they don’t need the Member of Parliament or your wife.”

Lealailepule, however, questioned the legislation. He was particularly concerned that with the bill only passed last year, why has the government suddenly moved to amend it.

“This law is not even a year old and it’s being amended already. Why?”

Opposition Leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II wondered if the banks would accept things like fine mats and plantations as security for small loans.

“I would’ve thought that the legislation would include fine mats and plantations,” said Palusalue.

He then told a story.

“A man from our constituency came with a television to me and said he’ll use it to guarantee his loan. He wanted $200 but when he sought the opinion from the bank, he was rejected. So why did that happen when the law clearly stipulates otherwise?”

Palusalue pointed out that the reality of life in Samoa is that when there is a fa’alavelave people turn to banks for loans.

At that point, Tuilaepa intervened.

“That is not how things are done, to just carry a T.V in there,” he told Palu.

“It shows how shallow the man from your constituency is…what’s here is a registry and nowadays you don’t just carry your TV in there and expect it to be accepted."

“When you do that people will automatically think that you’re a thief because they do that.”

The Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala, who shares the same constituency as Palausalue, took the floor.

He said people from his constituency don’t go to the banks when they are in need.

“They either go to the sea or to their plantations,” he said.

Lealailepule pointed out that the legislation required people to be registered by using a number rather than their names.

“Any loan is registered under your name not some kind of number,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo agreed.

He said the amendment proposes a change to add names to the registry.

“That is something that was left out from the electronic system that should’ve been included,” he said.

Fonotoe, who is the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, read the bill for its second reading on Tuesday.

“An example  of this is that you can ask the tea person to go check the toilets if it’s clean. So their role is not just making tea.”

The much-anticipated Parliamentary sitting, where the government was supposed to have responded to claims of corruption raised by the Controller and Chief Auditor in his report, and backed by the Officers of Parliament Committee (O.P.C), has been adjourned until October.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, moved the motion for the adjournment yesterday after the House passed the Customs Bill 2014, which is apparently “a must” ahead of the United Nations Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference in ten days time.

The 245-page bill with 360 clauses was tabled by the Minister of Revenue, Tuiloma Pule Lameko, who told Parliament it “needed to be passed in a hurry to be used for S.I.D.S.”

According to the Explanatory Memorandum, the Bill repeals and replaces the Customs Act 1977. It introduces new provisions designed to make Samoa’s legislation consistent with Samoa’s international obligations under international bodies such as the World Customs Organisation and the World Trade Organisation to “effectively manage Samoa’s borders.”

During the debate yesterday, the leader of the Tautua Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II questioned Clause 4 which says that the Comptroller of Customs “may designate officers employed within the Ministry as Customs officers”.

The much-anticipated Parliamentary sitting, where the government was supposed to have responded to claims of corruption raised by the Controller and Chief Auditor in his report, and backed by the Officers of Parliament Committee (O.P.C), has been adjourned until October.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, moved the motion for the adjournment yesterday after the House passed the Customs Bill 2014, which is apparently “a must” ahead of the United Nations Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference in ten days time.

The 245-page bill with 360 clauses was tabled by the Minister of Revenue, Tuiloma Pule Lameko, who told Parliament it “needed to be passed in a hurry to be used for S.I.D.S.”

According to the Explanatory Memorandum, the Bill repeals and replaces the Customs Act 1977. It introduces new provisions designed to make Samoa’s legislation consistent with Samoa’s international obligations under international bodies such as the World Customs Organisation and the World Trade Organisation to “effectively manage Samoa’s borders.”

During the debate yesterday, the leader of the Tautua Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II questioned Clause 4 which says that the Comptroller of Customs “may designate officers employed within the Ministry as Customs officers”.

Palusalue argued that this interferes with the power of the Public Service Commission to appoint staff members.

Further, he said “the clause will give the Comptroller too much power to make such appointments when P.S.C has the authority over such appointments.”

Tuiloma disagreed. He told Palusalue that the Bill doesn’t take away the authority of P.S.C to make appointments over public servants.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa took the floor to support his Minister.

“In English, it says, The Comptroller of Customs may designate officers employed within the Ministry,” Tuilaepa said.

“An example of this is that you can ask the tea person to go check the toilets if it’s clean. So their role is not just making tea.”

Tuilaepa said the Bill does not affect the role of the P.S.C at all.

But Veteran M.P, A’eau Peniamina Leavaise’eta questioned why the authority in appointing Customs officers has been given to the Chief Executive Officer, not the Minister.

“Whereabout in the bill does it mention you, Minister? It says the C.E.O, not you. It would be good if the Bill also mentioned you (Minister) in here.”

Tuilaepa said there was a very good reason for this.

“The Minister deals with policies,” said Tuilaepa, adding that C.E.O’s have been appointed to their positions because they are well qualified and are more than capable of doing the job.

“A’eau wasn’t a Minister so I understand if he asks about this,” said Tuilaepa.

“I don’t mind if the others; Aeau, Leala and them ask as they weren’t Ministers before but when Palu asks questions, it saddens me because he was a Minister and I thought he would know better.”

This immediately drew a response from Palusalue.

“Thank you for the explanation, if only it was written in the legislation.”

Clause 19, which reads, “obligates the CCA licensee to provide to Customs (free or charge) any operating or processing areas, accommodation, facilities, buildings, equipment and storage required by the Comptroller” was also disputed.

M.P for Faleata West, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, questioned why Customs would be given the equipment and facilities without any charges. He also rubbished claims from the government that the provision was “old”.

“It’s not old, it’s new,” he said. “I’m reading the old Act and the new one at the same time and it’s not old, I can assure you of that."

“But like I said the (shipping) companies have to provide customs with new office's and maintain it…that is a big demand.”

Gagaemauga No. 2 M.P., Levaopolo Talatonu Va’ai supported Lealailepule. Levao, who also owns a shipping agency, said Customs should pay.

“Without us, Customs don’t have any work,” he said. “You are asking us to provide computers that will cost $4,000, internet, an office and telephones for Customs to do their work."

“That is a lot of expenses…I don’t agree with this.”

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa took the floor to remind Parliament that the government has been helping the private sector, namely the shipping agencies, for a very long time.

Pointing to containers being stored at the Matautu wharf, Tuilaepa said the containers are not being charged for the storage at the wharf.

“If you look at it (Matautu wharf) it’s really ugly because of those piles of containers,” he said.

“That is the government’s assistance to the companies who have containers that arrive early and are stored there to be exported to another country."

“They’re not being charged for it.”

In the afternoon yesterday, the bill was passed. A copy of the Explanatory Memorandum of the Bill will be published tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Parliament has been adjourned until 21 October 2014.

“There are more cars on the roads and more plastic bottles than ever before but we don’t have the machines to process them here and to export them is expensive when you consider the small return. We need to diversify”

Samoa’s leading recycler says there is money to be made in car tyres and plastic bottles if the country can recycle them on-island.

Pacific Recycles Manager, Silafau Ioane Sio, says that tyres and plastic bottles have a low value on the recycling market so processing them on-island is the key to managing this growing waste problem in Samoa.

“There are more cars on the roads and more plastic bottles than ever before but we don’t have the machines to process them here and to export them is expensive when you consider the small return. We need to diversify.”

Silafau says he has been working with an Australian company to look at the viability of recycling in Samoa but the cost of the machines is too expensive without and investor or donor assistance.

“I’ve seen recycling companies in Japan make oil from plastic, and he says he would also like to see Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) brought into Samoa.”

This legislation would see importers paying a levy for each container imported. This cost would be passed onto the consumer who will receive a portion of that levy as a refund on the return of the container. The remaining part of the levy is often used to fund the cost of processing returned containers.

Already Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment have attended trainings on implementing this type of legislation run by the

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P).

S.P.R.E.P estimates that in the Pacific municipal solid waste is composed of 60 per cent organic, 35 per cent potentially recyclable - equaling about 760,000 tonnes per year – and five per cent categorized as other.

Palau has had its legislation since 2011.

One of the unique features of that legislation in Palau is the high deposit per container (US10c), which allows the government to refund, operate and save extra money at the "Recycling Fund" to cover the expenses of waste management activities.

Since bringing container deposit legislation Palau, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia and Kiribati have recycled more than 37.2 million containers. It has also seen positive spin-offs in the way of business development, job creation, less waste to landfill and less litter.

Pacific Recycles handles about 25 per cent of total recyclable waste in Samoa, according to Silafau.

The private company has cages for bottle and can collection at sites around central Upolu including a number of schools. It also regularly receives recyclables from people who sort through Tafaigata Landfill.

“Some schools such as Samoa Primary, Robert Louis Stevenson and Fa’atuatua are very good with their segregation. I think it is part of their environmental education.”

Asked if he was open to the idea of village collection programmes for cash, he said he was happy to take enquiries from rural villages. “I guess for them it is a little bit of income and it also deals with a litter problem.”

Pacific Recycles started seven years ago with a staff of four and now has a staff of 23 and an office in Savaii as well. The recycler also handles scrap metal, aluminum cans and plastic bottles from Tokelau.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, officially closed the second Annual Parliamentary College Programme organised by the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly (O.C.L.A) yesterday.

The two-day programme culminated with an English speech competition won by Ariel Fanaafi Ioane, of Le Amosa High School.

Joseph Lauano, of Samoa College came second followed by Ofeira Talaave, of Samoa Adventist College and Faaui Laban, of Safata College.

Addressing the future leaders of Samoa, Tuilaepa said it was vital for them to understand the functions of Parliament. He reminded that Parliament exists to create laws for the development of the country and people.

About the speech competition, Tuilaepa said it’s not about how smart you are but rather how well you deliver the message and that the audience understands what you are talking about.

“That is of course the golden rule of any speech,” he said.

Tuilaepa, however, had one gripe. He said the competition should have been in Samoa since that is the official language in Parliament.

For the Speaker of Parliament, La’auli Leautea Polata’ivao, “everything is a lesson.

“Speaking the Samoan language is your passport to this ‘Maota’,” he said. And eventhough the speech contest was in English, La’auli congratulated everyone involved.

The winner, Ariel Fanaafi Ioane, spoke about “Parliament and its oversight role.”

“This competition has helped me a lot to build my confidence and learn more about my Parliament,” said Ms. Ioane. “The competition was not easy but I am thankful to God that I have made it this far.”

The College Parliamentary programme was designed so that students will have a basic understanding of:

• The inherent and varied functions of Parliament and its composition

• Parliamentary practice, procedures and processes;

• The Offices and Officers of the Legislative Assembly; and

• The support and services required to meet the deliverables and expectations of Parliament.

During the programme, participants observed Parliament’s sitting, met prominent leaders of Parliament, toured the Offices of Parliament, and learnt about Parliamentary practices, procedures and processes through various presentations.

PR - Now there’s one convenient code *123# for checking your balance, voice, SMS and data bundles and all the information you need to know about corresponding promotions.

The self-service menu was announced by Digicel’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Leaupepe Talai Lene, as another way of empowering its customers.

The new self-service menu is a one-stop-shop for Digicel customers. They will now be able to check everything they are subscribed to by dialling just one code *123# instead of using different codes for different options (i.e. checking bundles *130#, checking balance *120#).

“This is a service we’ve refined for our customers that allows them to take ownership of their mobile phone accounts and reduces unnecessary waiting time. It also allows customers to see the status of your prepaid account anytime of the day and select your requirements for voice, SMS and data instantly”, explained Leaupepe.

Subsequently, customers can select on the menu which promotions are on offer and details of their entitlements (e.g. Free nights,

Free overseas, Free Text and more). They can even ‘upsize’ their data plans on the same menu.

Digicel re-introduces the self-service concept to Samoa that other technologically advanced countries have long been accustomed to. The mobile phone market is a dynamic one where customers demand convenience and efficiency at the drop of a hat. The new feature fulfils this need - Digicel continues to be the leader in innovation for mobile technologies in Samoa.

For more information, call Customer Care on 123 or on Facebook/DigicelSamoa.

“I never ever thought I would be part of this important meeting. As a young artist there are not many avenues for us to exhibit and show our work…”

Faagalo Siteni from Lauli’i is taking part in the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) Conference, as a young artist.
Siteni who is a student of Leulumoega Fou School of Fine Arts, is part of a team of artists whose work will be featured at the S.I.D.S. Conference.

He, along with his classmates, have been painting the boulders at the venue and created a floating island which will be a major feature at the conference.

“I never ever thought I would be part of this important meeting. As a young artist there are not many avenues for us to exhibit and show our work, but Youth Employment Programme (Y.E.P.) has given me this platform and I am appreciative,” said Siteni.

He is part of the Youth Employment Programme funded by the International Labour Organisation (I.L.O.) and the United Nations

Development Programme (U.N.D.P.).

Y.E.P Arts is spearheaded by the Small Business Enterprise Centre and implemented in partnership with the Samoa Arts Council.

“Y.E.P. has been an excellent opportunity for young people to showcase their creativity and at the same time for UN Agencies and local counterparts to exhibit partnerships,” said Peseta Margaret Malua, C.E.O of SBEC.

Over sixty five young artists are taking part in Y.E.P., and it includes students from the National University of Samoa, Leulumoega Fou School of Fine Arts and the Laumua o Punaoa Institute at Faleula are showcasing their paintings, sculptors and other fine arts in the SIDS Village and in the conference venue.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, yesterday blasted the Samoa Observer over its persistent reporting of a call “for justice” in relation to the Controller and Chief Auditor, Fuimaono Camillo Afele’s report.

The call was made by the Associate Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang, on the front page of the Sunday Samoan of 17 August 2014.

In the story titled “Demand for justice,” Papali’i argued that justice must be served against public servants whom Chief Auditor Fuimaono, and the Officers of Parliamentary Committee (O.P.C), have found to have “defrauded” taxpayers through “collusion” and acts of “corrupt practises.”

Papali’i had spoken out in anticipation of a response from the government to the O.P.C’s findings on the Controller and Chief Auditor’s 2009 report to Parliament.

When Parliament convened this week, there was no response. Parliament has since been adjourned until 21 October 2014.

Asked for a comment during his weekly session with the media yesterday evening, Tuilaepa said he doesn’t understand “what they’re waiting for.”

“It’s none of their business,” he said.

The Prime Minister then turned on the Samoa Observer. “I saw the Observer yesterday with a headline about that,” he said.

“When it comes to meetings, whether it’s a rugby team, volleyball team, church, Parliament or the United Nations, there is always a set agenda.

“On the agenda is where all the issues for a meeting are listed.”

According to the Prime Minister, Parliament’s agenda has already been set and that’s the “guide that we will follow.

“When it’s time to talk about the Auditor’s report or whoever, then we will talk about it… but we don’t just bring anything in because the newspaper wants to, or whoever (wants to).”

Criticising the Samoa Observer again, Tuilaepa said he did not “know the little girl who wrote that article.” He did not say which article he was referring to. But he accused the newspaper of always “doing wrong articles.”

“I don’t know when they will get it right,” he said. “With this newspaper, they might get it right for one day, and then for seven days they will get it wrong. So they get it right on Sunday and then get it wrong from Monday until Saturday.”

Tuilaepa also lashed out at journalists in general for creating so much dirt.

“There is so much to clean in the world because of you,” he said.

In the Sunday Samoan, Papali’i challenged the government to implement the recommendations from the O.P.C against the public servants whose actions have cost taxpayers millions of tala.

“I really want to bring these people to account and be brought to justice,” Papali’i said. “I mean it is millions, we are talking about millions.

“(It is) not $100 for a public servant to go to jail just for defrauding a hundred bucks.” The matter, since the reports from Chief Auditor and the O.P.C surfaced, has taken too long.

“So where is the justice?” Papali’i asks.

“I don’t like that. To me it is not fair, my conscience is not right if they keep on doing that. So I have to fight for that.”

The Individual Voters’ Member said the collusion to defraud public funds started when the former Finance Minister, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, took over the Samoa Land Corporation portfolio.

“Well that is proven in our investigation and we have evidence,” he said. “We are still waiting for the government’s reply to our recommendations.

“If they fail to accommodate our (recommendations) then we will go one more step.”

While he did not say what that step was, Papali’i has in the past said that if the Government does not adopt the F.E.C’s recommendations, they will take the matter to Court.

Papali’i was not immediately available for a comment yesterday.

“The (Agricultural Store) Corporation’s fi nancial performance has improved tremendously achieving a net profi t of $468,968 compared to a net loss of $807,936 in the prior year. The improved results were due to a signifi cant increase in total revenue despite a slight increase in total expenses” - Fuimaono A.G. Afele.

Both the Accident Compensation Corporation (A.C.C.) and the Agricultural Store Corporation (A.S.C) demonstrated monetary stability for the financial year ending June 30 2010, the Controller and Chief Auditor reports.

Despite this stability, however, Fuimaono A.G. Afele did note a number of issues for the A.C.C. in his 2011 report to the Legislative Assembly.

“An amount of $406,958 relating to V.A.G.S.T. Receivable was included in the Corporation’s financial statements that should have been assessed by the Ministry for Revenue to confirm its recoverability,” he reports.

“Computer files were not backed up, properly labelled and stored at off-site premises preferably in a fireproof vault to ensure safe storage of computer information."

“Register of accountable forms was not appropriately formatted to record all details.”

Looking at the A.C.C.’s overall financial position, Fuimaono reports that the total revenue for the 2012 financial year reduced by one per cent due to a reduction in interest revenue as well as other income.

“The Corporation managed to control its total expenditure with a reduction by one per cent despite incurring expenses for tsunami compensation,” the report reads.

“The Corporation achieved a return on total assets of 10.41 per cent."

“The Corporation’s financial position was stable.”

Looking now to the A.S.C., Fuimaono reports that its financial performance has improved tremendously achieving a net profit of $468,968 compared to a net loss of $807,936 in the prior year.

“The improved results were due to a significant increase in total revenue despite a slight increase in total expenses,” he says.

Both current assets and current liabilities have increased with the increase in current liabilities outweighing the increase in current assets.

“Despite this decline in working capital, the Corporation was still in a healthy liquidity position.”

Both reports are republished in full below:

Accident Compensation Corporation

Financial year: 30 June 2010 Audit opinion: Unqualified Auditor: Audit Office

Summary of audit findings:

1. An amount of $406,958 relating to VAGST Receivable was included in the Corporation’s financial statements that should have been assessed by the Ministry for Revenue to confirm its recoverability.

2. Computer files were not backed up, properly labeled and stored at off-site premises preferably in a fireproof vault to ensure safe storage of computer information.

3. Register of accountable forms was not appropriately formatted to record all details.

4. Overall results of the Corporation’s operation and financial position were as follows:

• Total revenue reduced by 1% due to a reduction in interest revenue as well as other income;

• The Corporation managed to control its total expenditure with a reduction by 1% despite incurring expenses for tsunami compensation;

• The Corporation achieved a return on total assets of 10.41%; • The Corporation’s financial position was stable.

5. The Corporation responded as follows:

• The VAGST receivable amount is deemed correct as the MFR has agreed to offset it against future VAGST payable by ACC. ACC therefore did not pay any VAGST to the Ministry in 2011 resulting in a significant reduction in VAGST Receivables at the end of the financial year 2011.

• ACC has since put in place measures to ensure regular backup and security of electronic files. Computer files are now being backed up twice a week, one backup copy is kept in the office while the other one is kept off-site.

• ACC has since adopted the format for the register as recommended and the audit of the financial statements for the year 2011 should confirm compliance.

Agriculture Store Corporation Financial year: 30 June 2010 Audit opinion: Unqualified Auditor: Lesa ma Penn Summary of audit findings:

1. The Corporation’s financial performance has improved tremendously achieving a net profit of $468,968 compared to a net loss of $807,936 in the prior year. The improved results were due to a significant increase in total revenue despite a slight increase in total expenses.

2. Both current assets and current liabilities have increased with the increase in current liabilities outweighing the increase in current assets. Despite this decline in working capital, the Corporation was still in a healthy liquidity position.

3. Board approval was required for writing off debtors’ accounts that were considered irrecoverable

4. Leave cards were not regularly updated

5. The Corporation responded that

actions have already been taken on findings 3 and 4.

The Samoa water sector has benefited to the tune of $90,000,000 over the past four years thanks to the European Union’s Budget Support Programme.

According to the E.U.’s Head of Office in Samoa, John Stanley, the E.U. will continue its support of the sector through the programme.

This on going assistance comes, despite the myriad of issues the sector’s utility is facing with recent reports that have the Samoa Water Authority losing not only money but also more than 52 million litres of water a day.

Mr. Stanley says his agency has to date given around $91,100,782.60 (€29,538,644) over the past four years to the Government of Samoa through Budget Support, of which the water sector has lobbied successfully for the lion’s share (see Table 1 above).

“No sector is perfect,” Mr. Stanley said.

“The water sector is making progress, which we must recognise, although it is true to say that it does still have some way to go."

“The S.W.A.’s response after Cyclone Evans really should be commended as it did a very good job to get water back in the pipes quickly despite some of the infrastructure being very badly damaged”.

“If the sector were perfect then the European Union wouldn’t have it as it’s focal sector as it wouldn’t need European Union support."

“However, it is very important that it continue making progress, especially to reduce Non Revenue Water and to cover its operational and capital costs which are fundamental to achieving financial sustainability.”

Mr. Stanley said included in the 2011 payment was €5.5 million to compensate Samoa for a down turn in the Global Economy and a payment of €2.585 million to help Samoa recover from the 2009 Tsunami.

“Both of the above payments were in addition to the ‘normal’ budget support payments related to the Water and Sanitation Sectors,” he said.

The way the E.U. gives support to the Water Sector is through the Budget Support Modality, Mr. Stanley said.

“This modality works by the European Union accepting that the Sector Plan,” he said. “The Water For Life Strategy, is of a good quality with ambitious but achievable targets."

“European Union funding is made directly to the Government’s Treasury Account.”

Mr. Stanley said the Budget Support Modality is in line with the Paris Declaration. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (O.E.C.D) website, the Declaration was signed in 2005 and is a practical, action-oriented roadmap to improve the quality of aid and its impact on development.

“It is the best approach to align with government priorities, ensures good country ownership and limits transaction costs,” Mr. Stanley said.

“Moving from a project approach to Budget Support took several years, with Samoa having developed a good sector plan and the European Union is glad to be assisting Samoa through this modality now that sector progress has been made.”

According to the Head of Office, the Union had been in partnership with the water sector since September 2010.

“Previous to this the European Union supported the Water and Sanitation sector through the project approach modality,” he said.

“It is important for the European Union to establish long lasting genuine partnerships, and that development priorities are jointly set with the Government of Samoa in the context of this real partnership.”

“The European Union looks forward to continue supporting the Water and Sanitation Sector under the 11th E.D.F. (European Development Fund) until 2020.”

Mr. Stanley said that the net loss recently reported by the S.W.A. in its latest Annual Report would not affect the E.U.’s budget support to Samoa.

“However those are important policy implementation elements that are discussed (and will be discussed) with the authorities on a regular basis, and in particular at the occasion of the sector meeting,” he said.

“It is of course in the interest of Samoa and the E.U. that the sector develop and gradually generates the needed resources to ensure sustainability in the medium term.”

“Good management of the sector is therefore a priority for us and it is through a permanent dialogue with the authorities that we encourage the development of adequate policies, good financial management and transparency for the sector. Those elements have improved over the years and efforts – supported by the EU – will continue to be made.”

It should however be noted, that despite the Union’s ongoing support, it can, and has subtracted money from the 40 per cent variable part of the tranche it donates to Samoa on a yearly basis when certain criteria are not met.

“Deductions have been from E.U.

Budget Support payments under the S.P.S.P. (Sector Policy Support Programme) I, due to the Water and Sanitation Sector not having achieved its water quality targets as stated in the Water for Life Sector Plan (see Table 2).

“The reductions in the amount paid has incentivised the sector to improve its’ performance against the targets established in the Water for life Sector Plan.

“Even with the deductions the total disbursed is 95 per cent of the programmed amount, thus making budget support a very predictable way of supporting (and incentivising) the water sector.”

Note: The Budget Sector Support money goes into the Government of Samoa’s Treasury account. It is for the Government of Samoa to decide if it goes to the water sector or not but the water sector has a strong lobbying tool. Saying that this is E.U. Budget Support money for the Water Sector.The E.U. would expect most of the money to go to the water sector but disbursements are not conditional on this actually happening. Furthermore, in 2011 there were two additional payments of €5.5m (included in the €10,220,500 above) and €2,585 that were for the downturn in the global economy and medium term assistance following the 2009 Tsunami.

Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung AWai, has confirmed that his Office is reviewing the outcome of the Leslie Kohlhase hearing, in relation to an incident that killed two young men at Vailoa, last year.

Asked by the Weekend Observer if his Office would appeal the decision by the Supreme Court, Aumua said they are looking into it.

“We are reviewing the case,” he said.

Pressed to elaborate, Aumua declined to comment further or speculate about what his Office is likely to do following the review.

He also did not give an indication about when the review would be completed.

Three weeks ago after a three-week trial, four assessors found 19-year-old Kohlhase not guilty of two charges of manslaughter and two alternative charges of negligent driving causing death.

The crash at Vailoa last year, which led to the charges against her, caused the deaths of Jessie Risale, 22, of Vaimoso and Thesaurus Heather, 20, of Tufuiopa.

Kohlhase was represented by Lei’ataualesa Daryl Clarke and Unasa Leilani Tamati.

Precious Chang and Leone Su’a Mailo were the lawyers for the Attorney General’s Office.

The Chief Justice, his Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu, presided.

The prosecution claimed that Kohlhase drove the vehicle that crashed and killed the two young men. Further, they argued that it had been established quite clearly that the accused drove recklessly, endangering the lives of people in the car.

But Leiataualesa disagreed. He reiterated that Kohlhase did not drive the vehicle when it crashed.

In the end, the assessors agreed with Lei’ataualesa.

Chief Justice Patu then dismissed all the charges against the defendant.

The Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C) celebrated the opening of its $1.8million Malifa lodge yesterday.

He, along with his classmates, have been painting the boulders at the venue and created a floating island which will be a major feature at the conference.

Constructed by Diamond Head Design and managed by Bob Garner, the property includes twenty rooms, a laundry room and an office.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who opened the project yesterday said such establishments are vital for the development of Samoa.

He said these developments not only earn the country much-needed revenue, they also provide employment opportunities for members of the community.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the Corporation has come under much criticism lately. However, he congratulated the management for persevering.

Tuilaepa said as growing tourism destination, the country would need more quality accommodation to cater for visitors to Samoa.

The opening of the Malifa Lodge could not have come at a better time with S.I.D.S around the corner. “We hope that this new project will be able to grow and prosper in the future,” Tuilaepa said.

The Chairman of the S.L.C’s Board of Directors, Tupuola Sione Malifa, said the project took six months to complete. “The only delay was due to the weather and the shortage of building materials but we still managed to finish on time,” he said.

The new facility will be used for S.I.D.S and it will be opened to the general public afterwards. Reverend Utufua Naseri conducted a prayer service to bless the building yesterday.

Villages throughout Samoa are adding the final touches to their preparations to welcome thousands of visitors expected for the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference.

Yesterday, Vaimoso started at 4:30a.m. in a bid to beat the traffic and the hot sun.

A village matai, Manuleleua Ioane, said the clean up involved mowing the lawns near the main road, picking up rubbish, painting and wrapping the roadside posts with coconut leaves.

The aim, he said, is to make driving through Vaimoso a pleasant experience for visitors.

“We started very early because we wanted to put up the banner before the road gets busy,” he said. “There are still some finishing touches that need to be made but other than that, we are ready.”

Everyone in the village was involved from the women’s committee to the young people. “This is a community effort, everyone in our village wants Vaimoso to look good and so they are all here contributing whatever they can,” he said.

“There are young children and elderly members of the village and it’s good to see everyone working side by side. It makes the job a lot easier.

“This is the first time that some of these people will be coming to Samoa and we must prepare Samoa to look beautiful. I sure hope they will enjoy our country.” S.I.D.S is set to start in seven days time.

Youth unemployment in Samoa is getting worse.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Auelua Samuelu

Enari, blames the lack of access to financial resources as the cause.

“It is simply getting worse in our view due to among other things external factors highlighted above,” he said.

“(The reason for this is) insufficient financial resources available to the youth to enable establishment of their own businesses through skill sets learnt.”

Auelua was asked for a comment in response to an Asian Development Bank (A.D.B.) report that at 16.1 per cent, Samoa has the highest youth unemployment in the South-East Asia-Pacific region.

“While this information is a cause for concern, one wouldn’t only wait to read about it from International report, but simply look around and the evidence is overwhelmingly visible,” he said.

“The issue then would be; what are the causal factors of such high youth unemployment in Samoa?”

The C.E.O. said that while he was happy to answer the questions, he believed that the Ministry responsible for Women, Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.) had a specific division dealing with Youth issues including economic empowerment initiatives.

“The M.W.C.S.D. under its Youth Division is also solely responsible for providing assistance inclusive financial assistance under its youth programs being funded by government or even overseas donors,” he said.

“Without wanting to interfere with their initiatives and considering that you have approached us to inquire how we feel about this and what we are doing to contribute to minimising and eventually eliminating this problem.”

M.W.C.S.D. was contacted for comment, but none was forthcoming at the time of press.

However, Auelua said in presenting this factual information he must commend the Asian Development Bank for for eventually prioritising this concern and Government would be encouraged that this doesn’t stop at highlighting the problem but also enhances their support in responding to nationally developed strategies aimed at creating genuine employment for not only the youth but also to include disadvantaged groups and the women.

“You will note for instance that the Ministry for Women developed a National Youth Policy and Strategic Plan in conjunction with I think U.N.I.C.E.F. sometime back in 2006,” he said.

“The question would be, to what extent have our development partners, in good faith supported further issues associated with enabling actual implementation of that plan?

“The Youth identified concerns inhibiting their self development some of which are aimed at creating entrepreneurs of them. But how can this realistically be achieved when there is a glaring problem of inadequate access to finance for them to for instance purchase tools to make them more efficient?

“How are the developed partners assisting when terms set result in high interest rates being charged on soft finance avenues available not only to the Youth but other entrepreneurs as well?”

When asked what M.C.I.L. was doing to address the worsening situation he said his Ministry runs an apprenticeship scheme and also a Private Sector Support Facility.

“Whilst our pivotal role is to provide an enabling environment to the Private-sector so that they can be able to prosper hence creating employment for Samoans including youth, we endeavor to ensure that prospective employees are connected to prospective employers,” said Auelua.

“Through coordination of Jobseekers Training on basic skills such as job seeking skills, interviewing skills, how to write a proper resume or vitae, M.C.I.L., assists unemployed people to get jobs. “The ministry also administers the

Apprenticeship Scheme and the Apprenticeship Trade Testing Scheme for up-skilling of our trades people for the provision of more employment opportunities in the trades area.

“The Ministry undertakes employment surveys i.e Labour Market Survey, Minimum Wage Survey, Labour Force Survey plus periodic surveys for employment assessment at the stipulated time with outputs are important especially for National Planning Ministry and Private-Sector.

“Through the Ministry’s Private sector support Facility, the Ministry working in close collaboration with proactive development partners is able to avail support aimed towards assisting Private-sector Development.”

Despite this, Aeulua said more could be done to see you become gainfully employed.

“(We) need more sensitisation to youth to take formal education seriously considering most formal jobs require educated youth,” he said.

“For the school dropouts that cannot be re-absorbed, vocational training as an option needs to be prioritised.

“The International Financing institutions need to have these factors in mind in setting appropriate interest rates of capital borrowed or sourced to enable development in this sector.

“A clear message needs to be sent out to the youth that planned agriculture is an alternative to income generation and employment.

“The media needs to publicise more success programmes from other youth within the Pacific and the world are doing to overcome unemployment issues in support of Government initiatives.”

The C.E.O. said that the community could assist M.C.I.L. in addressing this issue by utilising available opportunities established by Government.

“While also taking personal initiative to innovate, encourage their children to obtain formal education,” he said.

“But as mentioned in my introduction there is a relevant Ministry for Youth and our response is simply a contribution to this issue which we can work together to resolve.”

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has given villages and churches a verbal pat on the back for the countless hours they have put in to beautify Samoa ahead of the S.I.D.S conference.

He has also acknowledged the hard work of government officials and everyone working behind the scenes to ensure Samoa is ready.

Tuilaepa issued the acknowledgement during his weekly media programme where he declared that Samoa is ready to welcome the world.

“The government wishes to thank the village leaderships for their support and preparations,” he said. “The government depends on their assistance” and they have delivered.

Tuilaepa said Samoa has high hopes for a successful conference.

On Saturday this week, a ceremony to officially hand over the venue at Faleata Sports complex to the United Nations for the conference will be held.

“That means the facilities will be under the United Nation during that time and will be handed over again after the meeting.”

Tuilaepa also warned that locals that they need to abide by the rules from U.N and not expect to have free access and free food from the conference.

On the accommodation side of things, Tuilaepa said the cruise ship “will arrive on the day that it will arrive.”

In announcing that all the hotels are fully booked, Tuilaepa dismissed criticisms that the cruise ship has taken up much needed revenue for local accommodation providers.

“If the person booked to stay at the cruise ship then that is their choice,” he said.

“Just so you remember, the cruise ship is five star and we don’t have a five star (hotel)

“So if people prefer the cruise ship because it is five star, then we can’t force them. What I have been told is that the accommodations have been booked out so I am not aware of the hotels that aren’t occupied.” More than 3,000 people are expected to arrive in Samoa over the next two weeks.

ALL TOGETHER NOW: Even students are getting into the spirit of keeping Samoa clean ahead of the S.I.D.S conference. These students from Fa’atuatua Christian College were among hundreds of students who took to the streets on Friday to clean up. The day also signalled the end of Term 3 with students given a three-week break for S.I.D.S. 

Public transport, re-filling water bottles and planting trees are all initiatives participants at the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) can choose to help make the meeting carbon neutral.

Carbon neutral means taking as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as we put in, and it is often achieved through carbon offsetting.

With only two weeks to go, participants are urged to reduce resource consumption and minimize waste generation by sharing print copies, use recycled products, and separate wastes to help with recycling and reuse.

Women in Business Development is also leading the “Offset ISLANDS 2014” awareness and social media campaign to enlist the help of citizens around the world to offset the carbon emissions caused by the meeting. Participants are being asked to support this campaign.

“With Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme assistance and all the participants doing their part, I am sure that we will see us achieve this goal of carbon neutrality,” says executive director Adimaimalaga Tafuna’i.

“We are asking people to plant a tree, compost or mulch; post their picture or video on facebook.com/offsetISLANDS2014; then nominate five friends to do the same.”

Participants will also have the chance to plant trees as carbon offsetting at the Fuluasou Nature Reserve, which is next to the conference venue.

These trees will be added to the tally of trees planted in Samoa and overseas to offset the campaign.

In term of promotional print material, participants are urged to minimize the amount of promotional print materials at exhibition stands.

They should recycle or reuse promotional materials; and, when relevant, donate books and publications to local institutions, use biodegradable materials for any necessary exhibit material.

‘We are ready,’ says the woman behind  Samoa’s S.I.D.S preparations

“One thing that we really marvelled at is how the whole world has rallied and partnered with Samoa and our Government and all of us to host this conference”

“We are ready for S.I.D.S. We are ready for the whole world. We are excited.”

Confident words coming from the C.E.O. and National Coordinator of the largest event to be hosted by Samoa - the 2014 Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.), Fa’alavaau M. Perina Sila.

So confident is Fa’alavaau of Samoa readiness to step out on to the world stage, you would think she was at least given a two or three year lead time to prepare her country for the main event on the United Nations’ 2014 calendar.

No, she was given just 15 months.

“We didn’t have the luxury of two years. No, we started digging in the fist week of July last year,” Fa’alavaau.

“That was the first building that went up that was the Hockey Stadium.”

“So in fact you are looking at 14-15 months preparation.”

“That was one of our challenges that we had literally 15 months to prepare the site and everything else.”

Despite this and the many other obstacles that she has dubbed as the “typical S.I.D.S. challenges”, Fa’alavaau and her team have done the impossible – they have finished - well before the deadline – in time for a dedication service to be held tomorrow.

“All the work will be finished this weekend,” she said.

“Things are progressing very well, just the landscaping that is going on at the moment that is all there is left.”

Of the buildings, which have taken the names of six islands – Upolu, Savai’i, Manono, Apolima, Nu’utele and Namu’a - five have been completed.

“The last one which is the one on the corner is the main plenary hall there are finishing touches being made to it as we speak and that will be the last of the buildings.”

She added that individual Government ministries were looking after each of the buildings.

Beyond the venue, Fa’alavaau said that her department was providing transportation and security and that was all progressing well with the teams doing dry runs so they do not miss a beat come show time.

“Everything is going well, it is just a lot of work, but everything is progressing well,” she said.

Despite this feeling now, Fa’alavaau did speak of some of the “typical” challenges her team faced.

“The first one we had was the bad weather,” she said.

“If you recall earlier this year, actually from December and then into January and February, it rained almost every day.”

She said the weather delayed some of the contractors at the venue up to a month - meaning that over the last few weeks some of the workers have been pulling double shifts just to hit deadline.

She said the weather also affected the shipments of supplies that people needed.

“This month we have had a lot of shipments from overseas being delayed or being rerouted to Fiji because of bad weather here,” said Fa’alavaau.

“Not only for us where we ordered some directly but also some of the contractors had to delay some of the work because they were waiting in Fiji until the weather was clear.”

“And of course our remoteness being so far away we have to order things way, way in advance.”

Perhaps the biggest challenge – making all this work on what was, in the events world, essentially a shoestring budget.

“We don’t have a bottomless pot of gold or money,” she said. “So we had work to make this work with what ever money the Government has appropriated.”

“We are still trying very hard because this is important for all of us, for our country, for our people and everyone is pitching in.”

She said this challenge aside, “we shouldn’t focus so much on the money side” – before making the valid point that this could very well be a one off event for Samoa in the foreseeable future, as the Pacific only gets to host S.I.D.S. once every 30 years.

“This is a very important project for all of us because this is a one off historic event it may not come back to Samoa in the next 30 years,” she said.

“So we just need to put our best foot forward despite all these financial resources constraints and other challenges.”

“We just need to work around a way what we can do to achieve the objective.”

So how has the S.I.D.S. team done this?

“We have had to work very long hours,” she said.

“Not only us, the contractors some of them have been working late into the night, till two in the morning.”

“We have had to hire more people. Like right now we have employed a lot of youth to come on site to help so it becomes a little bit more expensive if you have such delays because you have to hire more people.”

“But we just have to do it there is no other way about it, just do it.”

Fa’alavaau said, while there have been some obvious challenges; if anything overwhelmed her in this whole experience it was the unwavering support both internationally and locally.

“One thing that we really marvelled at is how the whole world has rallied and partnered with Samoa and our Government and all of us to host this conference,” she said.

“The way countries, especially our traditional partners and all our friends have partnered together to help Samoa.”

“For example China, Australia and New Zealand all those countries who have stood up and said ‘we are here to help you’.”

She said it was not just the donor partners, but intergovernmental organisations and private companies, such as the Microsoft Corporation who is donating all the licencing software for the Conference.

On a local level, one of the highlights for Fa’alavaau was how Samoans have rallied together in support of S.I.D.S.

“The national ownership and the participation of the communities,” she said.

“How people have rallied together and have said ‘hey how can we help’?

“I will give you a classic example – the whole landscaping up there is being done by church communities.

“The L.D.S. Church, the Ululoloa Nazarene Church, the Si’usega Catholic Church, the Tuana’imato Methodist Youth Group, the E.F.K.S. Youth group and the A.O.G. from Lotopa.”

“The Sila-Ah Yen family is also working on the grounds. I have allocated corners to each of them.”

She said driving around town she was also taken aback by the transformation of the villages.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “How people have totally and entirely come together and partnered up after all that is the theme of the conference, Sustainable Partnerships.”

“It is that kind of sentiment that I see in our own people how they have just taken it upon themselves to take ownership of this Conference.”

“So it is a good feeling.”

The fact that this is ‘Samoa’s Conference’ bodes well for our nation – because as Fa’alavaau makes note of, this event is very much important to the nation on many levels.

“First of all it puts Samoa onto the international level,” she said. “I mean who would imagine a person from Estonia or Lithuania would come to Samoa? So it certainly puts us on the map.”

“In terms of the substance of the conference you know the outcomes document of the S.I.D.S. conference has now been called the Samoa Pathway.”

“Because as you probably understand this that when you have an outcomes document of a big conference its usually takes the name of the country where it was hosted.”

“The first original one was held in Barbados 30 years ago it’s (the outcomes document) called the Barbados Programme of Action.

“Now the third one is being held in Samoa and it is now going to be called the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway (S.I.D.S. Accelerated Modalities Of Action).

“So it elevates Samoa now to a much, much higher level at the international scene.”

She said this was of importance to Samoa because when anyone refers to the sustainable development guidelines or platform of action for S.I.D.S. countries they are referring to the S.A.M.O.A. Pathways outcomes document.

In addition to putting Samoa on the map, she said financially S.I.D.S. is a boon for the Samoan economy.

“There are a lot of benefits to the local community,” said Fa’alavaau.

“For example hotels are fully booked, restaurants, taxies you name it…the caterers, the contractors…and the people who are making handicrafts.”

“People who got business out of preparing helping us prepare the venues, the infrastructure.”

“So it is everywhere so you can just think of things and everyone is benefiting.”

Fa’alavaau said at the same time S.I.D.S. will expose Samoans to people from many different countries, all with their own unique cultures and experiences.

“So that is like an eye opener for them or it exposes them to people South Africa or from other parts of the world from the Caribbean, from Jamaica that we would not normally come across,” she said.

For this reason she said it was time for Samoans to show the world what they do best – make their guests feel warmly welcomed.

“You know Samoans are very well known for their hospitality,” she said.

“So be an ambassador in every sense. Accept our guests for who they are and where they come from, respect them.

“When people ask for directions please be nice and say hey that is the Mulivai Cathedral. Be friendly.”

“Customer service is very important treat people right.”

“The very fundamental principals to being an ambassador are respectfulness, acceptance, honesty and good customer service.”

She said by doing this, people will create lasting memories for our guests that go far beyond the souvenirs they may pick up at the market.

So is she worried about the so very many things that could go wrong?

“No,” she said, her confidence still unshaken.

“We have a Plan B for everything. We have prepared for everything physical that we can see.”

“Everything has been built on site, we have installed standby water we have standby electricity with the generators.”

“We have got free wireless on site for the delegates and for everyone we also have a back up plan for that…it is underground, it is cable.”

“We have all the emergency services on standby. We have two medical clinics on site as well as ambulances and fire services everything that we can see those are the tangible standby services.”

“We have got contingencies for everything, plans for any emergencies.”

Well for almost everything. During our whole conversation the only time Fa’alavaau showed any signs of stress was when she talked about extreme weather.

“There are certain things that we cannot foresee so if for example, God forbid, if a cyclone comes,” she said.

She was quick to regain her composure saying that it would be dealt with it, if and when it happened.

“Those are the things that we cannot do much about…we cannot predict God’s nature,” she said.

“Otherwise everything we can do we have a Plan B for everything. We are ready for S.I.D.S.”

With more than 2000 people already registered for S.I.D.S. and many more set to sign up, it would appear Samoa is lucky to have Fa’alavaau running the show.

A beer carrying the label “Made of Samoa” is back on the market, following its official launch on Friday night at Thirsty Gecko’s Bar and Restaurant at Vailoa.

Made from breadfruit and local ingredients, a limited supply of Vailima Natural was initially introduced last year to commemorate Vailima’s 35th anniversary.

This time round, the company is making the beer available at a bar or a store near you.

Operations and Site Manager, Sean Hellesoe, said the beer is a product of collaboration between the Brewery and the Scientific

Research Organization of Samoa (S.R.O.S).

“Vailima Natural is something that we have been working on for a long time and it’s a very special beer for us,” he said.

“It’s our first truly Samoan beer with Samoan ingredients and we’ve only recently got enough raw material and breadfruit flour to make it consistently.

“So it’s an exciting time for us.”

Mr. Hellesoe said that unlike before where the beer was only available in draught, the company is bottling the product so that customers in the villages could easily access it.

Asked about some of the obstacles in brewing Vailima’s newest product, Mr. Hellesoe said there were lots of challenges.

“Everyday is a challenge because it’s a very different ingredient to work with compared to normal beer,” he said

“Luckily we’ve got great partnership with the Scientific Research Organization of Samoa which actually makes the breadfruit flour.

“They have been looking at making more of it, increasing their capacity so that’s been a great help for us.”

Turning the dream into reality has also taken many years. Mr. Hellesoe said the idea about breadfruit beer was first discussed back in 2007.

“I think even back then we were leaning towards breadfruits because it’s an abundant fruit, easy to process and much easier to pick off the tree rather than pulling taro from the ground.”

There was also a realisation very early on that the product would take a lot of work.

“It’s been a very long time since we started coming up with the concept. A lot of work was being done both in and outside of the brewery.

“One of the challenges was how can we turn a small pilot, small scale twenty litre brew into ten thousand litres. S.R.O.S also had a lot of work to do with their flour technique but things have finally come together and we can make it.”

Mr. Hellesoe credited teamwork for making the product a reality.

“It really is about innovation and doing something which nobody else is doing. Being a small country, isolated from all the main markets, we really can’t compete price-wise with other countries.

But we can compete in quality and in innovation. We can do things which nobody else is doing and I think this is a great example of something which no other brewery in the world is doing at the scale that we are doing it.”

Although the immediate goal is make sure there is enough supply for the local market, Mr. Hellesoe said the company would look to export it in the long run.

And what did the guests who turned up at the launch of the Vailima Natural think about the beer?

Judging from the smiles, laughter and the chatter after a few, this product is sure here to stay.

A proposal to give the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour the power to approve or decline a holiday for a private sector company was the subject of a heated debate in Parliament last week.

The plan is contained in a Bill proposing amendments to the Public Holidays Act 2008 which was in its second reading when Parliament convened on Tuesday.

Among the amendments is a clause that will give the Head of State the power to declare any day during a state of emergency, as an emergency holiday, for the purpose of protecting the employees.

But it was what appeared to be government interfering with the private sector that raised eyebrows.

Speaking in Parliament, M.P for Faleata East, Aveau Niko Palamo, reminded that private sector businesses should be free to make their decisions.

He objected to clause 7, which indicates that the Minister can approve or reject an application from a private business for a holiday.

“Why should I ask for his permission on when we can have a holiday or not when it’s my business,” Aveau asked.

“If I want to have a holiday for my business to celebrate my birthday or the 10th anniversary of the company, this law says I have to write to the Minister for his consent.

“It seems that the government is in control of my business.”

Under Clause 7A, the bill says; “The Minister may upon application by an employer to the Minister declare any day as an employer’s holiday in respect of the employer and employees of the employer.”

Tautua Whip, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, also objected about a separate matter.

He said it seems that the bill would affect the opening hours and days for bakeries and shops that provide basic services for everyone.

Leala also questioned part of the bill, which refers to a special rate during public holidays.

“Why not specify the rates if it’s either double or normal for the employees so that they don’t clash with their employers?”

Leala said the Bill appears to interfere with the laws already in place to govern the private sector.

But deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, who tabled the Bill, disagreed.

Firstly, Fonotoe explained that the proposed changes came about because of problems where “some employers worked during holidays without pay.”

He then rejected Leala’s reference to the bill affecting stores that provide basic services.

“Bakery and other stores are not affected by the legislation and it is also clear here on the rates they’ll be paid.

“We also have the Ministry of Labour to deal with employers and their pay.”

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, backed Fonotoe.

He reminded that business owners have a responsibility to their customers, adding that there have been many cases where customers have been let down because of the reckless attitude of business owners.

He said when businesses are set up, they promise to serve their customers at all times.

And yet in many cases, these businesses would shut down at will leaving their customers in the cold.

He then used the example of a bus owner who asked for a business license to serve a village.

“They were granted a license to serve that village,” he said.

“After a while, we found that they had decided to make the trip optional so that the bus would go whenever they felt like.

“But how about the people and their children who need to go to school?

“They are the reason why the bus owners were given the license to provide transportation for them…you can’t just choose when you can provide the service and when not.”

Associate Ministe, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, supported Tuilaepa.

He told Parliament that the amendment is important for both business people and their customers.

“You always face challenges. But where I am right now I wouldn’t change anything that has happened”

Sonny Bill Williams is for many, much more than a household name – he is a sporting legend. More importantly, he is a Samoan sporting legend.

Excelling professionally at almost any sport he turns his hand to (league, union boxing), the Kiwi born sportsman is fairly decorated for someone who hasn’t even reached 30 yet.

From scoring his first National Rugby League Premiership cap at the age of 18 in his debut season with the Bulldogs, to taking the

Chiefs home in 2012 Super Rugby Final (making him the only the third person to achieve such a feat), to taking home the 2011 Rugby

World Cup and notching up six consecutive wins in the boxing ring – he pretty much has nothing left to prove, except maybe to the thousands of Manu and Toa fans out there.

Earlier this week Sonny Bill answered the multi-million-tala question for Samoa - would he ever pull on Samoa’s blue jersey?

Responding to a very passionately worded question from the crowd at a press conference about whether or not he would play for the Toa or Manu Samoa – Sonny Bill just smiled and “you sound a bit…like my old man”.

“My old man is always asking me when am I going to play for the Toa Samoa,” he said.

“But you know, I think everyone in this room can understand that I am a proud New Zealander as well, I am proud of being from New Zealand.

“I am also proud of being from Samoa so you know you never know.

“I would love to put on the blue jersey one day but at this stage of my career I am vying obviously to play for the Kiwis or the All Blacks.

“I don’t want to say that and disrespect anyone in this room today disrespect any of my Samoan brothers or sisters, because I am the first to jump up and say that I am a proud Samoan.”

And a proud Samoan he is – something Sonny Bill admits to openly – that he is no more, no less.

“I am who I am,” he said.

“I am proud of the man I have become and very confident as a man, but in a humble way, a good way if that makes sense.

“I wouldn’t say that anything that I have…anything that is in Sydney or in Auckland media or anything like that drives me to be who I am.”

“I am pretty confident (and) pretty happy within myself, that when I finish playing footy I won’t need anything like that.”

“I will just need my family and my loved ones to be happy.”

Last year the Australian wrote that as a child, Sonny Bill was “painfully shy,” as well as “a freakish sporting talent, a competitive sprinter, a champion high jumper and cross country runner and the kid who played footy in teams a couple of age divisions above, to make things fairer.”

Later that same year the Guardian reported that the “driving factor” in his pursuit of playing professional rugby league was to “get my mum a house.”

“I have always had that drive, (from) when I was young,” says Sonny Bill.

“(While) I guess it has changed over the years as I have gotten older, but when I was young it was try and get a house for my mum.

“That was a real massive major driving factor. “Then after that happened then I guess it was just a pride thing to try and keep that standard that I set.”

Well if this is the standard he has set for himself, it is no wonder pretty much any football team – of any code – is falling over themselves to sign him.

With his proven skill – there are probably a few boxing promoters just biding their time out in the wings waiting for his return to their sport of choice.

“Obviously there are a lot of factors for myself religion, family and I guess pride would probably be the main things,” said Sonny Bill when asked his accomplishments.

“You know just always wanting to perform to what I know I can achieve or perform to a standard that I have set myself.

“And you know to achieve that there are a lot of things that you know you have to do you have to tick all those little boxes, that people don’t usually see on TV.

“Just trying to keep that standard, I guess it is a pride thing as well.”

Despite his year-on-year success, Sonny Bill admitted that his life was not without its challenges.

“You always face challenges,” he said. “But where I am right now I wouldn’t change anything that has happened.”

“(I am) very happy as a person and as a man, where I am right now at this time of my life.” And as for the next chapter in the sporting saga that has become the life of Sonny Bill Williams?

“(To) keep being successful but also being happy in my private life as well,” he said.