Sue Langford is Australia’s new High Commissioner to Samoa. She replaces outgoing Dr. Stephen Henningham.

Ms. Langford’s appointment was announced by Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, last week.

“Australia and Samoa share a close bilateral relationship through our aid, trade and security cooperation,” Ms. Bishop said in a speech posted on her Ministry’s website.

“We have worked closely together on recovery and reconstruction since the devastating Cyclone Evan in December 2012 and will continue to do so.

“Our development assistance in Samoa is focused on health, education, economic governance, public sector reforms and strengthening civil society.”

The Minister also highlights that Australia cooperates with Samoa in maritime surveillance and resources protection under the Pacific Patrol Boat program.

“Australia also supports the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre, hosted in Apia, which brings together Pacific law enforcement, customs and immigration agencies to combat transnational crime.

“Samoa and Australia enjoy strong people-to-people links and a wide range of community and institutional connections.

“An increasing number of Australians are visiting Samoa each year as tourists and the number of Samoans travelling to Australia is also steadily increasing. More than sixty thousand Australian citizens or residents identify themselves as having Samoan ancestry.”

As for Ms. Langford, she is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was until recently a Director in the International Security Division.

Prior to that, she worked as a Senior Adviser to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Ms. Langford has also served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian High Commission in Port Vila and as First Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Honiara.

Ms. Langford holds a Master's Degree in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from the Australian National University.

Ms. Langford is scheduled to present her credentials to the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi at Tuaefu today.

A teacher, Kenera Leota, has been found guilty for possession of marijuana.

As a result, he has been fined $1,700.

During sentencing on Monday, Supreme Court Justice, His Honour Vui Clarence Nelson, said the defence offered up by the defendant was that the marijuana was to pay for the workers on his cattle farm.

But this was not an “ethical excuse,” the Court ruled. Justice Vui said as a teacher at Saleapaga, Leota, 25, should have known better. During the hearing, the Court heard the defendant was travelling in a taxi with another occupant carrying a substantial amount of narcotics.

This information was received from a caller who tipped off Police about the vehicle travelling towards Apia.

The call was received by the Afega Police post. At noon that day, the Afega Police stopped the vehicle at check point. Although Leota was searched, Police did not find anything on him, said Justice Vui.

Police, however, found cigarettes on the second occupant of the vehicle. Leota was caught when the Police searched his bag.

There, they found marijuana wrapped in newspaper in a t-shirt weighing 52.1 grams. The Court heard that “over 70 cigarette smokes” could be produced from this amount of marijuana.

Justice Vui told the court that he did not believe the marijuana was purchased to pay workers on Leota’s cattle farm.

“Perhaps they were going to have a Christmas marijuana party,” he suggested. On a more serious note, Leota was given a warning. “I warn you that being involved with illicit narcotics will lead you to places that you don’t want to go to – involuntarily.”

Represented in court by lawyer, Te’o Richard Faaiuaso, Justice Vui was asked to deliver a non custodial sentence on the defendant.

In passing sentence, Justice Vui took into consideration that Leota was fined by his village as a result of the charge against him, his good background as outlined in his pre-sentence probation report, his services to his family, village and church.

As well as verbal support from the President of the school committee and letters of reference from his church minister and village mayor.

Leota was told that he would be “letting all these people down including yourself if you don’t walk away from narcotics.

“I am not satisfied with the information before the court that this marijuana was for commercial sale,” said Justice Vui.

The courts penalty must reflect the seriousness of offence, he said.

As a result, Leota was convicted and ordered to pay $1,500 to the Court, $100 to the Probation office, and $100 for Police costs.

Justice Vui told the defendant that this was his only chance. If he however appears again in court on similar charges “the penalty will be quite different”.

The defendant is from Vavau and Vaivase-uta. The incident occurred on 24 December 2013.

Hazardous chemical used in farming was on the agenda at the Fourth Project Advisory Group (P.A.G.) Meeting at Nu’u Research Station, yesterday.

During his keynote address, the Minister of Agriculture, Le Mamea Ropati Mualia, spoke of two projects – both of which look at reducing the use of hazardous chemical in crop production through capacity building.

The first project is from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the second from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation program.

“Both of these projects have a common goal, which is the reduction of the use of pesticides in agriculture and agricultural production,” said Le Mamea.

“Pesticide use in agricultural production is widespread around the Pacific farming communities with insecticides being a very popular product used in agriculture.

“There are mounting concerns on the adverse effects of pesticide and insecticide use in agricultural production and it affect agricultural systems and the health of the agricultural produce consumers.

“Increasing the awareness and the capacity of farmers on the adverse effects of pesticide and insecticide use is critical in ensuring that agricultural production remains safe for both the producer and the consumer of agricultural produce.”

He said the meeting was a unique opportunity for our neighbouring Pacific participants from Tonga, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, to witness first hand some of the ongoing developments in Samoa.

“We are greatly appreciative of your agreement, to hold the Fourth P.A.G. meeting here in Samoa during the 2013 meeting that was held in the Kingdom of Tonga,” he said.

“The main objectives of the P.A.G. meetings are to review the progress of the activities to date, identify shortfalls’ and issues, and to plan accordingly the way forward for the projects’ implementation.

“The Project Advisory Group consists of a diverse range of experts of pathologists, agronomists, economists and project managers to name a few.

“We truly look forward to effective dialogue, and meaningful engagement throughout the duration of the meeting in order to come up with feasible and practical solutions to decrease the reliance of our farmers on pesticides and insecticides in agricultural production.

“May I also take this opportunity on behalf of the four participating Pacific countries, to convey our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research, for your continual financial support which enables us to implement these current projects but also past agricultural activities and projects within the Pacific Region.”

The meeting concludes on Friday.

The Australia Pacific Technical College (A.P.T.C) Samoa recently welcomed more than 200 students into courses ranging from trades, hospitality/cookery, and community services.

More than half of the new students are Samoans. As part of their orientation, the students were hosted by the A.P.T.C Alumni at a traditional ava ceremony.

Students from Samoa, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, Marshall Islands, PNG, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Vanuatu took part in the welcome ceremony.

The Samoa Alumni President, Masoe Iosefa Tautua, said the ava ceremony was a fitting way to welcome the new students.

“The Ava ceremony is very important,” said Masoe. “We are officially welcoming special guests to make them feel at home and accepted in the community.”

This is a new initiative by the Samoan Alumni, and one that is greatly appreciated by students and the management of A.P.T.C.

“The new students are special to everyone in APTC Samoa. Although we are all different I believe in unity in diversity as a common goal amongst all of us.

“I wish the International and local new students the best of luck in their studies and to live their dreams for their families and countries. “

The students in Samoa are studying courses in trades, hospitality/ cookery, community services and health. Skills acquired at A.P.T.C are internationally recognised, and help create pathways to future careers.

Among the students are enrolees to a new course this year - Certificate III in Allied Health.

All of the 17 students enrolled for this semester are Samoans employed by the National Health Services as supporting staff.

This is the first Health course for A.P.T.C anywhere in the Pacific.

Alumni members are hosting many of the international students at their homes and in their churches.

Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu, has used a Chamber of Commerce gathering to urge the business community to consider mediation as a form of dispute resolution.

His Honour made the comments during the Chamber’s first members’ meeting for 2014, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, the Accredited Mediators of Samoa Association (AMSA) and the International Finance Corporation, and held at the Ministry of Justice recently. Speaking to a well-attended meeting, Chief Justice Patu highlighted the various advantages of mediation as compared to litigation.

He explained that rather than seeking to identify which party was “wrong, or bad”, and which party was “right, or good”, mediation allowed parties to a dispute the opportunity to find an amicable solution cheaply, quickly, informally and privately.

Mediation also attracts foreign investors to invest in a stable and safe country.

The Chief Justice also acknowledged consultant, Professor Nadja Alexander, for her key role in developing mediation in Samoa.

Chamber President, Namulauulu Sami Leota, thanked the Chief Justice for his advice to the business sector.

“Two things really stood out to me during your address,” said Namulauulu. “One is that mediation can result in a quicker solution than litigation.

“This is really important to the private sector as business people are very busy and don’t have a lot of time.

“The second thing is that mediation is much cheaper than litigation. The private sector is always looking for ways to save money.”

The Chamber also presented two awards on Monday night: one to Gina Newton-Lui in recognition of her assistance with Chamber’s recent New Year function, and another to Bluesky for Best Chamber Members Meeting of 2013.

The Chamber holds members’ meetings on a monthly basis, providing the business community with regular networking opportunities as well as a chance to learn from a diverse range of guest presenters.

Samoa’s next best hope to win the World Heavyweight boxing title, Alex Leapai, is home.

The man from Lauli’i arrived in Samoa yesterday to seek the blessings from his family, village, district, church and the country ahead of his biggest fight ever.

Leapai is scheduled to meet current world heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko, on 26 April 2014 in Germany.

Waiting for his arrival early yesterday afternoon, proud father, Fa’ataui Leapai, and his mother, Leitū, were very happy and expressed gratitude for seeing him again. “We are really looking forward to meeting our son Alex today,” said Fa’atauī.

“I am very grateful for the support that I get from the people in my homeland, Samoa,” he said.

“My son’s arrival in Samoa is just an ordinary visit, to see his family, meet with our village, government and his people and get blessings from them.” The father said he is a strong believer in the Samoan saying that; “So’o se faiva lava e masi’i ae tapua’ia, e manuia.”

In English, its translated meaning is that “any mission that is attempted and is well supported by the people, will succeed.”

And Leapai was already gathering that support within seconds of setting foot back on Samoa. Dozens of onlookers were impressed with his compassion when he stopped half way across the tarmac to assist a little boy who fell over. Some might have kept walking.

Leapai bent down, doubled over, to check that the boy was alright, helped him back to his feet, straightened and checked again, looking down, before carrying on.

Once through Customs and Immigration, Alex Leapai, told the waiting media that he felt blessed when he arrived in Samoa.

“Coming here to my homeland to meet and get blessings from our people is something that I always want to do before my fights.”

Leapai sounded confident when asked how he was feeling about his upcoming fight with Klitschko. “I can’t wait to go back to Australia to train and prepare for my fight.”

But Leapai the ‘Lion Heart’ was also humble. “I will cast it all on the Lord - nothing is impossible when we trust in Him,”.

Lauli’i chiefs and other members of the village were all at the airport to wait for Leapai. He was accompanied by his coach, Noel Thornberry, and major sponsor, Phil Murphy, of Oxmar Properties.

He is here for a three day visit and will leave the country this Saturday. There will be a special get together at Lauli’i village with Alex Leapai today at 8.30am.

Alex Leapai to the rescue!

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has rejected claims there are frictions within the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P).

He also reiterated that the H.R.P.P caucus has decided on the future of the Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, and as far as he was concerned, there is no issue there anymore.

“This thing is not new,” he said.

“We’ve already met about this.”

During the meeting in question, held last year, Tuilaepa said “only three voted differently, wanting him to resign. Everyone else wanted him to continue and that’s how it is.”

Tuilaepa refused to give names. He also denied reports about factions within the H.R.P.P.

“There is nothing wrong [within our party],” Tuilaepa said. “We had a party last week and everyone was there except for these two who are still angry. They still don't have the heart to forgive.”

Asked who the two members are, he said: “I won’t tell you who they are.” So is he likely to make a decision on them to put an end to claims that the H.R.P.P is divided? “No,” said Tuilaepa.

“You know Christianity is about love and forgiveness.”

The Prime Minister said he is a leader who forgives. “Just like [I exercised forgiveness against the] M.P for Satapuala, the boy at Sili and all of you who write these wrong things. I forgive all of you.”

Tuilaepa made the comments when he was speaking to the media at his office on Tuesday night. He also used the opportunity to address the Chief Auditor’s report as well as the Officers of Parliament report.

Both reports found and confirmed instances of “corrupt practises” within the running of some government bodies.

The reports have also revived questions about the behaviour of the Minister of Finance, especially when he was the Minister for the Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C).

“I’ve already responded to it,” he said about the reports. “Parliament has also been told about the report, I don’t think you listened to it.”

According to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Officers of Parliament Committee, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, summed up the situation well when he said that a lot of the issues raised had been resolved.

“The Committee came up with their recommendations and they responded to them by themselves by saying that a lot of these things have been resolved,” said Tuilaepa.

“The significance of that response is that it reflects the principles governing the work of the government. What are these principles?

“First, the Chief Auditor will investigate. When he finds some problems, he then writes a management letter listing all the problems.

“In that letter, he advises the C.E.O to look at those things that are wrong. “Then the C.E.O acts.”

The Prime Minister and the Minister responsible for whatever Ministry is investigated are copied in the correspondence.

“And because I am copied, I also ask the C.E.O to look into the concerns raised by the Chief Auditor and address them. “But the Chief Auditor will still write his report and submit it to Parliament.”

Tuilaepa said his government is all about doing the right thing.

“Once there is a problem it gets fixed [and] that is nothing new. It has been a practise by H.R.P.P for a long time.”

Tuilaepa said it is this very practise the Chief Auditor and all government ministries follow.

He confirmed that there have been matters where the Chief Auditor had given advice and the Ministries don’t follow through.

“Again when this happens, we end up with more problems.”

The Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, and his Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese, welcomed Australia’s new High Commissioner to Samoa, Susan Kim Langford, yesterday.

The welcome was extended when Ms. Langford presented her credentials to their Highnesses at Tuaefu, where she was welcomed during an ava ceremony.

“It is an honour and a privilege to take up the role of Australian High Commissioner in Samoa,” she said during the brief meeting. “Australia is a true friend of Samoa and our countries enjoy a constructive and a broad ranging partnership.”

Ms. Lanford noted that Samoa and Australia share a “proud history of our mutual cooperation and people links.”

“It is a partnership, too, of international and regional dimensions. “The impressive example set by Samoa as the Regional Leader in Economic Reform, along with Samoa’s willingness to contribute to the security and prosperity of the wider region, is much admired in Australia.”

The new High Commissioner said Australia stands ready to support Samoa in hosting the 2014 Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) in September.

“I am confident that the bilateral relationship between our countries will continue to flourish and deepen in the years to come and, as Australian High Commissioner, I welcome the opportunity to reinforce our already excellent bilateral relations and our fruitful cooperation in multilateral forums.

“The coming years promise so much for the growth and strengthening of relations between our two countries.”

His Highness Tui Atua agrees. “Our people share close family ties, and we have mutually contributed in many ways, to the development of our two countries,” he said.

“This relationship and these linkages remain strong to this day.

“Australia is one of Samoa’s main traditional development partners. I take this opportunity to convey, through you, to the Government of Australia, our sincere appreciation for the immense contribution and assistance Australia has made towards the development objectives and inspirations of our country.

“As a small Island Developing State, challenges nevertheless remain.

“These include climate change and the consequential challenges of adaption, environmental degradation, our vulnerability to natural disasters and other external shocks, sustainable development and issues relating to regional security, to name a few. Samoa’s economic vulnerability certainly is not spared from all these challenges.”

Ms. Langford is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and had worked as a Director in the International Security Division. Prior to this she was seconded to the Australian Federal Police as Senior Adviser, Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (2010-2011).

Ms Langford has also served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission, Australian High Commission in Port Vila (2007-2010) and as First Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Honiara (2000-2002). She has also undertaken a short term mission to the Office of the Special Coordinator, Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands (2003-2004) and was a member of the Peace Monitoring Group, Bougainville (Feb-April 1998) Ms. Langford holds Masters Degree in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University and a Bachelor of Art (Honors) in History from the Australian National University.

She takes over from Dr. Stephen Henningham.

Police Inspector, Uelese Lolo, yesterday pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a dangerous weapon.

Suspended from work, Inspector Lolo’s new lawyer, Diana Roma, entered the plea before District Court Judge, Her Honour Mata Tuatagaloa.

The 50-year-old initially faced five charges. But he has continued to protest his innocence against three other charges, including charges of corruption.

Lolo is a former warden at Tafa’igata Prison. The alleged incidents, which resulted in the charges against Inspector Lolo, happened at Tafai’gata Prison.

Earlier on during the hearing, he entered a not guilty plea. His lawyer gave no reasons for the change in plea yesterday.

But Mrs. Roma sought for an adjournment so that she could have more time to study the case.

She told the Court that she had just received Lolo’s file from her learned colleague last week.

As a result, Judge Tuatagaloa ordered an adjournment for the 7th of May for the hearing of evidence. Inspector Lolo continues to be out on bail.

Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, wants national Sevens players to stop all the tricky side steps.

Instead, he has told them to just charge forward. He made the point when he officially opened the Vailima 26th Marist Sevens in front of the Government building yesterday.

“I don’t know where you get those side step actions from - you are wasting five seconds with those moves,” he said.

He said Samoan players should learn from other countries.

“You look at those African players: when they have the ball they move forward without waiting.”

At the opening parade of the 26th Valima Marist Sevens tournament, he warned the players, “Stop doing those side steps moves.”

He said players should consider other moves before side stepping. “Like a horse that’s about to jump, remember there are other things that must be done first before jumping.”

A parade for the Vailima Marist Sevens started at nine o’clock yesterday morning from the Ministry of Police car park, heading towards the government building.

Tuilaepa officially opened the tournament, praising the role of the Marist Sevens in raising awareness for the code.

“This is the 26th year since this tournament was first held and it is also the main reason some famous players from overseas country, especially the All Blacks come to Samoa.

“Back in the day, the only thing we could do was just watch those players on video. However, by initiating and holding this annual tournament, we now come to understand that they are human beings just like us.

“They fall, suffer breathlessness, and cry out for help when a shoe treads on them at scrum time.”

He said that the only different thing those players possessed was courage. When they get to training, they do it with all honesty and commitment.

“Their coach and management don’t drink alcohol with their players when the tournament has started and they always change game plans when they know their current game plan is not working.”

“But fitness is what matters the most,” he said.

“Because it’s a must for any player to play throughout 80 minutes - not running in the beginning and toward the end of the game - they walk and hold their hips.”

“Selectors will also work on selecting the team for Samoa from this tournament.

“That means if you want to be one of those players selected you have to play well and give it all your best.”

He said that Samoa has more than forty clubs. “What is happening is that only three to four clubs are being used to select our national team from - no! we can’t select ten players from just one team.”

“That is what you call favouritism." Vailima Breweries Manager of Sales and Marketing, Asuao Dennis Williams, presented a $50,000 cheque to the President of Vailima Marist Sevens, Laulu Henry Taefu.

A teams' managers meeting followed yesterday at Marist Joseph's Sports Club.

Tournament Director, Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun, said that “for the two-day tournament, we will have a round robin pool competition on Day One and on Day Two, it will be a knock out competition.”

The kick off for both days will be at 9am at the Apia Park International Stadium.

The Cup winners will take home the Championship Trophy and a cheque of $15,000.

 

 

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A prisoner who escaped from Tafa’igata Prison was told that once he puts himself there, he has “no freedom” to do whatever he wishes.

Permission has to be gained from Police for any departure from prison. That was the advice Afaese Afaese received from District Court Judge,

Her Honour Mata Tuatagaloa during his appearance in court on a charge of escaping from prison.

He was five months into his seven month prison term when he escaped to be with his family. “If you escape prison before a sentence term is completed, more time will be added and you’ll be sitting in prison forever,” said Judge Tuatagaloa.

“You know what you did was wrong?” she asked the defendant. Afaese admitted that he jumped the fence, and that police chased him.

Judge Tagaloa said he could not just leave when he felt like it. “

You have no freedom and so it is not up to you to do what you want to do. You have to get permission from Police,” she explained.

Afaese was serving time for theft. After his court hearing yesterday morning Judge Tuatagaloa added another two weeks to his sentence term.

The date of his escape was not mentioned in court during the proceedings.

Ministry of Health Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Ma’e’e Ualesi Falefa, said they had not received any complaint relating to the hydro stink at Ta’elefaga.

When she was contacted for a comment, she said: “No, we weren’t aware of the situation.”

She told the Samoa Observer that the Ministry must follow its own procedures, investigating, assessing, reporting and other steps.

But that “only” happens when a complaint is lodged with their Ministry.

“No one called or lodged a complaint.”

The village of Ta’elefaga say they have put up with the “worst” smell from one of the country’s hydropower stations for the last ten years.

High chief of the Ta’elefaga village at Fagaloa, Leuta Sialafau Valoaga, said that “at the end of the day, Ta’elefaga villagers suffer from the stench.”

“We are worried about the health of our people, especially the children,” he said.

“No one wants to live in a place like this, we just want to get things moving because we also want to live in a safe and clean environment.”

With the arrival of star guests D.J Forbes and Tomasi Cama last night, it was the last piece of the puzzle needed before the 26th Vailima Marist Sevens tournament kicks off today at Apia Park.

Vailima Marist Sevens kicks off

Over the next two days, 24 teams, featuring some of the finest Sevens players on the planet, will go head-to-head to determine the winner of Samoa’s biggest Sevens tournament.

Yesterday, Tournament Director, Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun said he was excited about the possibilities today and tomorrow. “Twenty four teams will take part in the tournament,” he said.

“The organising committee of the tournament had a meeting with team managers last Wednesday and they said that they all ready now.”

Seumanu said its hard to pick the winner. Any of the teams is capable of winning depending on how they perform, he said. Defending Champions, Vailima Marist St. Joseph’s heads Pool A with Iva White Lions and Satapuala.

The Talavalu Shadow Team gaining entry for the upcoming Hong Kong 7s led Pool B with SCOPA and Satitoa. Eigth time Cup Champions Moataa are seeded 1 in Pool C with Tepatasi and Lalomauga.

Last Tournament’s 3rd Place- Playoff Winner, Vailele will face Lepea and Faatoia in Pool D. The ever-improving Laulii side are in Pool E with Malie Sharks and Letava.

This year sees the return of NZ Marist Federation, the darlings of past tournaments and they are grouped with Vaimoso and Salailua in Pool F. Overall SIFA Samoa National 7s Circuit Champions Apia will face Vailima Pure Marist Saints and Lotofaga in Pool G.

The runner-ups of the last tournament, Vaiala will play tournament debutants Wainuiomata, Wellington and Taga in Pool H. “We want to say a big fa’amalo to all the sponsors especially the support from our people in so many ways.’

“Hopefully, after this tournament, Samoa will be able to see rising stars to carry the flag of Samoa in the upcoming years through rugby.”

“Wishing all the best to all the teams that will be competing to this year Vailima Marist Sevens tournament.”

“For the two-day tournament, we will have a round robin pool competition today and a knock out competition tomorrow.”

“The kick off will be at nine o’clock at the Apia Park International Stadium and the Cup winners will take home the Championship Trophy and a cheque of $15,000.”

DJ Forbes and Tomasi Cama arrived last night in the country as part of the competition entertainment.

District Court Judge, Her Honour Mata Tuatagaloa, has scolded four people over sharing a sex video, which had been the subject of a $400 blackmail attempt.

The video, filmed in Samoa, shows a couple having intercourse.

In Court, Her Honour Tuatagaloa asked one of the male defendants how he would have felt if he had opened the video and saw that it was his sister that had been filmed. He and the other three defendants – including a girl - were silent.

“The first thing a person thinks about is whether they would be happy if it was them,” asked Judge Tuatagaloa. “That was a private act between two consensual adults.”

The four youths appeared in the District Court on Wednesday morning, accused of indecent publication. They were told to consider the embarrassment their actions caused. The defendants’ names cannot be published as a result of their close relationship to the victim.

The complainant’s name and village cannot be published for the same reason. According to Police Summary of Facts, five defendants were initially charged in relation to this matter. The charges stem from sending a video clip via Bluetooth of the complainant and her former boyfriend engaged in sex.

The clip was filmed in a hotel in Apia between 1st and 31 July 2013, the Court heard.

The Court heard that following the filming of the clip, the complainant’s boyfriend tried to blackmail her into paying him $400 for the clip or he would give it to one of her cousins that works at a video store.

The complainant refused to pay the money. Instead, she visited her cousin at the video store, asking her to help find a way to delete the clip from her boyfriend’s phone.

But he strongly believes that this is where the missing millions detailed in the Audit Report should be used instead. The Opposition also believes that the problem with teacher pay increase comes with another issue “teacher shortage”.

This worker is the first defendant in the matter. She told the complainant to leave it with her and she would deal with the matter.

The next day, she contacted the complainant’s boyfriend and asked him to bring over the clip so that they can watch it. The boyfriend went over to see the first defendant and sent the clip to her via Bluetooth.

She then sent it to a male cousin, the second defendant, who sent it to another, the third defendant, and another, the fourth defendant, resulting in it reaching the fifth defendant.

The eldest defendant, a female of 29, told the Court that she did not send the clip to anyone else. As a result she was discharged without conviction by Judge Tuatagaloa.

In passing sentence over the other four, she told them that it was obvious they enjoyed watching such video clips.

But did any of them ever consider what they would feel if they were in that clip? She asked the second defendant who sent it to other male friends if he considered what his feelings would be if he turned the video clip on and found that it was his sister that had been filmed.

There was silence from the defendants. She also told the first defendant - the complainant’s cousin - that she felt great disappointment that a female could be involved in such a crime.

“What you do to another, someone will do it to you,” she said.

Her Honour Judge Tuatagaloa told the defendants that the charge carries a maximum penalty of three months in prison and a fine of $200. Prosecutor, Sergeant Kenneth Komiti, told the Court that the complainant has asked for lenient sentences to be placed on the defendants.

And although the defendants actions have pained her tremendously, she has forgiven them for what they have done to her. As a result, Her Honour Judge Tuatagaloa, ordered that the four remaining defendants pay a fine of $200 each as well as serving a three month suspended sentence.

If any of them appears before the Court within that three month period, they will surely be sent to prison. Meanwhile, the complainant’s boyfriend has been charged with indecent publication.

He appears in the District Court on 28 March to answer to the charge against him.

This crime carries a maximum penalty of five years and a fine not exceeding $5000.

He also faces another charge of blackmail. According to Sergeant Kenneth Komiti, the defendant will be prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General.

A lawyer and a former Police Commissioner, Papali’i Li’o Masipau, has warned the government “to pay Police overtime” or face the risk of paying millions in compensation claims.

The M.P. for Fa’asaleleaga No. 2 made the point during a press conference called by the Tautua Samoa Party on Wednesday.

“There are reasons for problems in the execution of the duties of police officers,” Papali’i said.

“This is the only office that doesn’t get paid overtime – the Ministry of Police.”

The Member of Parliament blamed “overworked” and “tired police officers” for many of the problems that have been highlighted in the media in the performance of police work. This is also why they don’t always conduct their work ethically, Papali’i said.

“They are so tired because they are there twenty four hours.”

Papali’i claims paying overtime would solve mounting problems arising from allegations of poor Police performance

This was highlighted by the recent case thrown out of court involving the death of a mental health patient held at prison. Charges against a prisoner accused of his death were dismissed when the judge overturned the assessor’s verdict.

The family of the patient, Mr. Hans Dalton, is suing Police in relation to his death, reportedly for $30 million.

The Tautua Party members are concerned that if the family’s case is successful, the government could lose a lot of money.

This incident could have been avoided however, said Papali’i, if government would pay Police overtime and not expect officers to work 24 hours.

He concluded that the death of Mr. Dalton occurred because “the police were too tired from overworking and without overtime pay.” Papali’i said this has been long-term problem within the Ministry of Police.

“When I was in the Ministry, I didn’t get overtime,” he sai.

Despite this, he stressed that he still carried out his duties ethically and honestly. He pointed out that it is one thing to take an oath to conduct your duties honestly and quite another when an officer is paid peanuts.

“This is why I am pleading to the government.”

Papali’i urged the government to look deeper into the matter. “When they do, they would realise that this is what’s causing these problems – overworked police officers are not getting paid overtime for their efforts.

“The government should consider that their qualifications are good now but the rewards are not - they are not getting paid enough.

“How can they gain strength to conduct their work if they are doing it while tired and when they are not being paid for it?”

The lawyer is also urging the government to consider Police officers’ working hours.

“If they work for eight hours, they must get some rest but if they aren’t getting this but are working beyond eight hours, then pay their overtime.”

Papali’i suggested that if some of the millions “misspent by government” were allocated to pay Police overtime, it would be money well spent.

“I believe this will also improve Police services.” He said this is an important lesson to learn to prevent from cases such as Mr. Dalton. “This is this family’s right to take it to court in search of justice, but beyond that the country will be hugely affected as well as the government’s finances.”

Opposition party leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II, supported his party’s M.P. He said it is the government’s responsibility to pay its workers and ensure they are adequately compensated for work.

Attempts to get a comment from Acting Police Commissioner, Fauono Talalelei Tapu, yesterday were unsuccessful. Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, was also not immediately available for a comment.

The mother of a dead baby, who was found by a dog at Vaitele-fou last year, burst into tears when she was sentenced to two years probation by the Supreme Court.

Seutatia Taina, 25, had pleaded guilty to two charges of failing in her duty to provide the necessaries of life and abandoning a child under the age of 6-years.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Yesterday, Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asue Falefatu Sapolu, decided against sending her to prison.

The incident occurred on Friday 27 September 2013 at Vaitele-fou. According to His Honour Patu, when Taina awoke at 5 that morning, she felt pain in her stomach.

She went to the bathroom and sat on the toilet seat where she gave birth. The baby fell into the toilet bowl.

“According to the material before the court she picked up the baby looked at it for a minute before the placenta was removed.”

The defendant was responsible for detaching the placenta from the baby. After this she took the baby to the shower and laid it on a towel.

She had a shower then, before picking up the child and taking him outside under a tree next to the bathroom. There, she left him before reentering the house where she had another shower.

The baby was found by a resident of the village when a dog dragged its remains to his house. According to a psychiatric report, the accused during the time she abandoned the child, was not in her right mind.

Taina was working for the accounts division of the Ministry of Communication Information and Technology (M.C.I.T) when the incident happened. She was suspended from work.

The Court also heard that her family had been fined $6,000 by the village council.

The leader of the Tautua Samoa Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II, has joined calls for teachers not to go on strike. He made the plea after teachers in Savai’I went public with their grievances over salary issues.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Palusalue asked the teachers not to go on strike.

“A strike will affect all of us and especially the students,” he said.

Instead, he said, the Samoa Tautua Party will continue to push for a positive outcome to the teacher’s requests to government. This includes Opposition party support for increasing the retirement age from 55 to 60 years for teachers and for all other professions in the country. That follows threats from Savai’i teachers to strike if government will not give them a pay rise. The Public Service Commission’s retirement age for teachers is 55. Palusalue said this is his party’s advice to government.

“This is a long term issue,” he said. “Government should look intensely at salaries of teachers especially since there are added hours on top of their working time.”

This year the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture introduced the new school times. These times depend on the levels of classes in each school. The new school times are from 8:30am to 4pm. This is even more reason for government to consider giving teaches a new pay increase, he said.

The last time there was a pay increase was four years ago. But Palusalue and his party strongly disagree that teachers should up their performance before they can get a raise. This was the initial response from the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.) in relation to strike threats from teachers. The performance-before-pay call was also made by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Speaking with news media at his office on Wednesday afternoon,

Tuilaepa said the teachers must first consider their service before complaining about payment for the work they do. Linking teacher performance to exam results came to light following the results from last year’s Year 13 Secondary School Leavers Certificate (S.S.L.C.) exam. M.E.S.C. claims that there was a huge failure rate among students. But Palusalue said this shouldn’t be an excuse.

If the teachers are not performing that is perhaps a result of their being paid very low wages for the level of their experience and the necessity of their profession for the future of Samoa. But Tuilaepa himself also pointed out that the main issue behind the teacher strike is the issue of retirement. He claimed that the teachers should retire when they are up for it. If they wish to reapply thinking that “they still want to serve” there is still an opportunity for them to do so.

But they would have to reapply to the P.S.C. who will review their case and make that decision for them. Tuilaepa also believes that if teachers do make use of the retirement package then there will be more space available for university graduates to take up vacant positions. However, many of the teachers aged 70 are still teaching, he claims.

Instead of going on strike they should be giving prayers of thanks to the P.S.C. for giving them another four years to serve as teachers he said. In respect to improving teaching quality, Tuilaepa said this is necessary to ensure there is a change in the education system.

“What government wants is that, if there are 29 students in the class, they should all pass to the secondary level and then to university.”

Tuilaepa said it is essential that graduate teachers provide quality education to will ensure students they teach will be academically successful. He said this is the way forward to providing a brighter and better future for Samoa and its people.

Deputy Party Leader Aeau Peniamina said claims by government that the huge failure rate in the S.S.L.C. exams was a result of teachers underperforming were “serious allegations”. He claims that in the education arena there are two factors involved. Those are – the provider (teacher) and the receiver (student).

“So no matter how good a teacher is - but if a student isn’t willing to learn” then there is the problem right there. Aeau believes that giving teachers the pay rise that they rightfully deserve might result with some difference in the performance of teachers.

“Give them a pay rise and see the difference.” “It is a matter of fact teachers are not performing because of the low pay they are getting,” he said. He claims that it is “not proper” that government is using an excuse like under performance as an excuse for not providing teachers with what they want – a pay increase. So why is government not giving the teachers the pay rise they deserve?

According to Palusalue it’s a lack of finance.

“They should be truthful about this - they don’t have the money to pay them.”

But he strongly believes that this is where the missing millions detailed in the Audit Report should be used instead. The Opposition also believes that the problem with teacher pay increase comes with another issue “teacher shortage”.

This is why they strongly recommend that government increase the retirement age from 55 to 60. At 55, teachers are still strong enough to continue their service, said Palusalue. Government should seriously look into this change because “there is a great teacher shortage”. He claims the Opposition is not being biased towards teachers. If this is an area where the future of Samoa lays then, he said, “government should give special priority to the teachers”.

“The government should increase [retirement] age to 60 [and then] consider the strength and health of the teacher.

“If teachers continue to retire at age 55 the problem of teacher shortage will continue,” said Palusalue. Changing the law regarding the retirement age should not just be for teachers but for other professions in the country. At 60 they would be closer to the age to qualify for a pension, he said. Government should seriously consider their advise since “it is not an easy time for the teaching profession. “It is already hard to find students to take up teaching even.”

Teaching is often one of the last options for many students today, he claimed. In the past, Palusalue said there have been teachers who have retired but their pay never reached $20,000 tala. Yet scholarship students who have just graduated recently from universities in Samoa and abroad are starting their jobs off at $29,000. “It’s not being biased to teachers but we are considering their pay rates and it can’t be compared to other professions.”

In teaching there is no other level to move up to but to the Principal’s position and so it is “unlike any other government profession where there are different levels that people can be promoted up to eventually making it to the A.C.E.O. and C.E.O. levels,” said Palusalue.

Leausa Tole’afoa Dr. Take Naseri is the Ministry of Health’s new Director General. Leausa takes over from outgoing Director General, Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe.

The appointment was announced by Cabinet yesterday, when Mrs. Toelupe saw out her final day, celebrating with her staff.

The appointment is a step up for Leausa within the Ministry, who for the last three years has served as its A.C.E.O. for National Disease Surveillance and International Health Regulations Division. He has also served the Ministry of Health as a Consultant Specialist Public Health Physician.

He has served in the Medical Profession for over 20 years in Samoa, American Samoa and in New Zealand. Leausa holds a Masters in Public Health from the University of Queensland, Australia, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Papua New Guinea.

He started his education in Samoa before furthering his studies in New Zealand and Fiji. He hails from the villages of Matanofo Falelatai and Fagaloa and is a Deacon of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa.

A 48-year-old married man, Leausa is a member of the S.C.O.P.A Rugby Club and the Samoa Golden Oldies. Asked for a comment about his new role, Tole’afoa said he had “not officially” been appointed.

“A lot of what they are talking about is hearsay,” he said.

“I have yet to get official confirmation from Cabinet.”

However, the Ministry did have a farewell party in honour of Mrs. Toelupe yesterday, who served as the Ministry’s leader for almost nine years, having first been appointed to the position in 2005.

According to a Cabinet Press Release from 2011, when she was again reappointed to the position, she was recommended as “the most favourable candidate” and her application was submitted to Cabinet for their final approval.

“Palanitina has now been re-appointed and will be the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Health for the next three years,” the 2011 release reads.

“Mrs. Toelupe was appointed to this position since 2005. “She has been working for the Ministry of Health for 14 years before moving to the Ministry of Women in 1998.

“She became Assistant Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Women in 2000 – 2005.”

According to the release Mrs. Toelupe hails from the villages of Vailele and Safune, Savai’i and has two children.

Sources told the Weekend Observer that Mrs. Toelupe acknowledged her colleagues, the government and her relatives in a farewell speech she made during a Cabinet Development Committee meeting earlier this week.

The Office of the Press Secretariat issued this statement from Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, last night about the issue of teacher salaries.

It follows a threat by teachers in Savai’i to go on strike if the government does not respond favourably to their demand for a pay rise.

The statement issued with the headline “There have been successive pay rises since 2005, says Government” is published here in verbatim:

Government is always impartial about a general public ser vice pay rise. But the recommendation has to come from the Remuneration Tribunal. This was the response on Wednesday afternoon from Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, regarding a recent demand from teachers in Savai’i for an immediate pay rise.

“There are many issues the Tribunal has to take into account before it recommends any remuneration for the public service,” said PM Tuilaepa.

“This includes adjustment to inflation rates, disposable incomes, general cost of living, ability of the budget to absorb a pay rise – the right balance between consumption and development expenditure - and relativity of government scales to that of the private sector to ensure that we do not undermine the private sector initiatives through any irresponsible wage hikes.”

From 2005 to 2008, Government implemented a general pay rise for the public service of 42 per cent, to be carried out in successive three-year instalments to ease any crippling impact on the national budget. The latest general pay rise for public servants, by three per cent, was implemented just two weeks ago.

“So the Tribunal is constantly reviewing the pay scale and regularly recommending to Cabinet when a pay rise should be implemented.” Cabinet too is also aware of the need to adjust public service wages and work conditions from time to time. “Change is constant and nothing stays the same.

And if Cabinet sees fit, it will review issues like retirement age, working hours and other issues that intrinsically affect public servants and the workplace.” In 1990, the Prime Minister said, Government decided to contract out Chief Executive Officer positions at three-year terms.

“This was done to improve upward mobility and to do away with bottlenecks in the systems. Far too many young qualified graduates were getting marooned – and frustrated - in the lower echelons of the ministries while at the top sat less qualified people who got very comfortable on the job.”

TEACHERS

The problem with the current teacher situation in Savai’i, the Prime Minister said, is that several separate issues are being muddled up in the exchange of opinions.

“There are three issues, I have identified, that are completely divorced from each other. “First is retirement. Many of the teachers involved – and behind the scenes – are now in their 60s and way past the retirement age of 55. Retiring at 55 is the law, of which every public servant is aware.”

The proper process, he said, is that those who have reached 55 can apply to the Public Service Commission for an extension of their service.

The PSC then bases its decision with a recommendation from the Ministry of Education. “It takes into account issues such as your job performance record, specialisation, state of health and such. So it really is up to the discretion of the PSC if you should continue your service.

“And retirement is not a bad thing. At 55, you are still young to go out and set up a business, a farm, a store, run a fishing boat or spend time with your kids and grand kids overseas.”

The second issue, he said, involves teacher wages. “The issue of a pay rise goes through the Remuneration Tribunal through a recommendation from the Ministry. Under current policy, relativity of scales is vitally important. We do not want a situation where there is a special pay rise for a particular profession and then all the other professions will be up in arms demanding a similar pay rise.

“For the teachers, their concerns have already been addressed and the Ministry of Education will inform the teachers accordingly.” The sitting Tribunal panel members are Aliimuamua Esekia Solofa (chair), Toleafoa Afamasaga Faamatala and Matataualiitia Tupuola Afa Lesa.

The third issue, he said, is improving the quality of teaching and general education.

“That is the objective of the many programmes the Ministry is implementing at the moment.

“A whole range of programmes from expanding and streamlining the curriculum, upgrading syllabus content, providing quality teaching resources and classroom learning material, improving teaching skills and methodology through in-service training and post-grad opportunities for teachers, and upgrading school infrastructure by building new schools and extra classrooms.

“All these programmes are aimed at lifting education standards in the country. The bottom line of all this is that, Government wants to provide the best quality education possible for all children of this country.

And that is what all parents want. It’s what really matters.”

The principal of the Latter Day Saints (L.D.S.) Church College, Laulu Tuugatiti Leauanae, is calling for a policy to confiscate mobile phones from students during school hours.

The call comes as cell phones are increasingly becoming more of an issue for schools with different schools holding different cell phone policies. Speaking to the Weekend Observer, Laulu said that having a policy to confiscate phones from students would ensure the safety of the student in their classes as well as their studies.

“The problem with cell phones is that some students abuse its use,” he said.

“Other students either go on Facebook or Youtube. This becomes an issue because they spend more time online and are not able to focus on their studies."

He also said that the policy of their school on cell phones is “out of sight.”

“We do not allow cell phones in the classrooms,” said Laulu.

“Students are permitted to carry their cell phones, but they should turn it off or not have them out at any time unless there is an emergency or health and safety related issues.”

According to Laulu, this has been the policy of the school since 2007 with fewer problems recorded each year.

“Any student caught violating this policy will have their cell phone confiscated and it will be given back to them only when the parent comes by to pick it up,” he said.

“The students already know the policy so there is no excuse whatsoever."

Laulu said the process is already laid out to the students and he believes that with the help of the parents, students can meet expectations.

“It’s good to have a phone but we must also teach students the correct principles of having a mobile phone,” he said.

“Students must learn how to control and ensure that they are using their mobile phones wisely."

Students who were caught and had their cell phones confiscated were upset about the policy.

“Some cell phones cost us a lot of money and it’s lying idle in the teacher’s office." said one of the students who did not want to give his name.

“In some cases we get our phones back at the end of the year and that is a long time.”

On the other hand, Mr. Leauanae said that the confiscation of student cell phones depends on their attitude.

“We give chances to the students to get their cell phones back however if they do it again and again we also reserve the right to either send their parents in, put them in detention, or even suspend them just so they could learn," said Mr. Leauanae.

“The answer is not telling the students to not have a cell phone but to teach them how to use it with care and with good purpose."