Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said laws are already in place to guide how government vehicles are to be used. He said the Cabinet Directive highlighting the appropriate use of government vehicles, which had been leaked and published by the Samoa Observer, was nothing new
The Samoa Ports Authority’s double cab pick-up truck crashed by the Authority’s Minister’s son earlier this year is being used by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I).
The confirmation came from the General Manager of S.P.A, Tufuga Tagaloa Tufuga, in response to questions from the Samoa Observer.
The General Manager was asked to confirm claims by the Minister of M.W.T.I, Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala, that the damage caused to the vehicle when it was crashed by his son have been paid for by him and his family.
General Manager Tufuga did not deny or confirm the claim.
However, in an email to the Samoa Observer, he said the Authority’s management is addressing the issues.
“The delay in response to your questions is due to (the) process with Insurance Company (NPI/ National Pacific Insurance) which handles insurance covers for our fleet,” said Tufuga.
“I have been advised that S.P.A’s claim for the vehicle in question is successful…”
Asked to clarify, Tufuga said like any vehicle insurance claim, if it is successful, that means the Insurance company pays the cost for repairs.
“S.P.A as the insured has submitted a claim under its insurance policy and the insurer is satisfied (in) its assessment and decided to cover (the) cost as to damages.”
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Tufuga was also questioned about why the vehicle was carrying a private number plate.
“When I took up office, the vehicle had already been assigned a private number (plate) under instructions by the previous management,” he said. “Our current reforms are addressing a number of issues inclusive of points raised by you.”
Asked for a comment, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said laws are already in place to guide how government vehicles are to be used.
He said the Cabinet Directive highlighting the appropriate use of government vehicles, which had been leaked and published by the Samoa Observer, was nothing new.
“That’s why I was shocked when I saw the headline in the Observer,” he said, adding that the newspaper attempted to make it look new when it was not.
“I guess it’s something to try and grab people to buy it (the newspaper) but the policies are old.”
The Prime Minister said public servants at times forget these rules but it is good to be reminded now and then.
Told that the Cabinet directive clearly points out that Ministers’ children are not allowed to drive these vehicles and that a Minister is only entitled to the use of one S.U.V, Tuilaepa agreed.
“That’s true,” he said.
He then said he was not fully aware about the background of the case involving the Minister of Works but pointed out that “there are standard policies” in place to deal with such cases.
During a previous interview with the Minister, Manu’alesagalala defended his son and wife in the incident involving the pickup truck.
He said his wife was in the vehicle assisting his son and the family had paid for the damages. He also admitted that he uses the S.O.E vehicle as well as the Ministerial S.U.V.
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