Avele celebration sours

The Chairman of Avele College’s 90th Celebration Committee, Tuia Paepae Letoa, has rubbished questions surrounding the audited report from the celebration.

Tuia in fact is so unhappy about members of the Avele College Old Pupils Association (A.C.O.P.A) who have raised the issue in the media; he is threatening to take legal action.

“The allegations from other members being made through the media is all personal,” Tuia said.

“They have defamed us and I wasn’t approached to give a comment to have a fair and balanced report."

“It has tarnished my reputation and others. I am looking at taking legal action because they have claimed that there is $100,000 missing but there is no proof for such defamatory words.”

The Chairman is also deeply sad that some of the members who “have taken the matter personally” had little appreciation of the work he and his Committee had done during celebration.

Tuia flatly denied any wrongdoing in handling the funds for the event.

“There was no mismanagement of money and the auditor’s report doesn’t imply that,” said Tuia. “The seven days celebration was fundraising for the event and whatever money was left was to finance a project for the school."

“Unfortunately, the money collected wasn’t enough for that…there were too many spectators but not enough players.”

The Auditor’s report in question was prepared by Maiava Visesio Lino, of Visesio Asiasi’au Lino Public Accountant Auditor & Tax Agent.

The report, which has been obtained by the Sunday Samoan, shows a total income of $219, 634.00. The total expenditure was $209, 334.00, leaving excess income over expenditure of $10, 300.

“In my opinion, the Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of Avele College 90th Anniversary as at 22 September 2014 and of the allied Statements on the date,” said Auditor Maiava in his report.

“I have obtained all the information and explanations that I have required. In my opinion, the 90th Anniversary Oganising Committee has kept proper books of account and the Financial Statements have been properly drawn up in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards and to give the information so required in the prescribed manner by the Samoa Institute of Accountants Act 2006.”

Tuia said the audited report clearly shows him and his Committee have nothing to hide. Members of A.C.O.P.A are welcome to obtain a copy, he said.

The report, however, was rejected and refuted.

In a letter to another Auditor, Su’a Rimoni Ah Chong, President of A.C.O.P.A for 2013/2014, Su’a Mulitalo Fruean requested to have the audited report submitted for re-auditing.

It was not possible to get a comment from Su’a Fruean as he is in New Zealand.

But his letter, obtained by the Sunday Samoan, reads:

“As President of the 2014 ACOPA AGM, I wish to inform you that ACOPA held its annual general meeting on 10.30am Saturday 11th October 2014 at the Samoa Nurses Hall.

One of the controversial items on the agenda is the above named report that was tabled in the meeting. Here is the outcome:

AGM resolution:

1. ACOPA members by majority refute and reject the authenticity of the 90th Years Celebration Audit Report presented by Tuia Paepae Letoa and Samau Ieru Lokeni.

2. ACOPA members by majority agreed to the audit report to be submitted for re-auditing to seek a second opinion from Su’a Rimoni Ah Chong who is currently ACOPA’s auditor.

3. ACOPA Executive to call a special AGM to discuss the re-audited report once completed.

“In this connection, I have attached herewith the full report submitted by the Sub Committee to the AGM for your initial perusal…”

Asked about having the statement re-audited, Tuia objected.

Reminding that all the money has been accounted for, Tuia said he does not agree with the motion to have the report re-audited by Su’a Rimoni.
“There is a conflict of interest between us (Tuia and Su’a Rimoni),” he said. “We’ve had three court cases against each other and to me that is a conflict between us. Another thing is that Su’a (Rimoni) was not approved in our minutes to be the auditor.”

It was not possible to get a comment from Su’a Rimoni yesterday.

The newly elected A.C.O.P.A President 2014/2015, Tupa’i Albert Atoa, declined to comment when he was approached about the issue.

He said the A.C.O.P.A Executive was scheduled to have a meeting where “everything will be discussed.” The Executive is made up of President Tupa’i, Vice President, Tuiafelolo John Stanley, Secretary, Samau Ieru Lokeni, Treasurer, Papali’i

Tala Maiava and members Su’a Henry Fruean, Tofilau Fa’amanu Ivara, Lupe Vaovasa Toilolo, Asuao Kirifi Pouono, Flo Faaso’o and Te’o Faitele Afamasaga.

“I will let you know the outcome,” said Tupa’i.

The Sunday Samoan was also informed that Tupa’i has rebuked public comments made by Su’a Fruean in relation to the matter.

He has apparently written to him, notifying him that the comments do not reflect the opinion of A.C.O.P.A and that possible legal action would be his personal responsibility since the A.C.O.P.A did not resolve for the matter to be made public.