The Public Bodies (Performance and Accountability) Amendment Bill 2014, is toothless. It does not have control over other State Own Enterprises (S.O.E).
That’s the opinion of Tautua Whip, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, ahead of Parliament’s final sitting for 2014 where the Bill is scheduled to be discussed.
Speaking during the pre-sitting bills briefing for Members of Parliament yesterday, Lealailepule said the bill which will govern the work of recently established Ministry of Public Enterprises, lacks depth.
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“What I’m trying to say is that each S.O.E has its own legislation and I was hoping that is included and put together in here,” he said. “This is the same as the old Act.” In addition, Leala pointed out that the Bill should also highlight the need for each S.O.E to seek approval from the Ministry of Public Enterprises before it makes a loan for whatever project they plan.
The Bill seeks to amend the Public Bodies Act 2001, to give effect to the newly established Ministry of Public Enterprises. There are currently 27 S.O.E.s with nine Public Beneficiaries including the National University of Samoa, Samoa Qualifications Authority and others. The other 18 S.O.E.s are Public Trading Bodies.
According to Ministry of Finance, Chief Executive Officer, Tupaimatuna Iulai Lavea, only three of the 18 trading bodies are paying the government dividends.
Leala said this is why he is concerned because the failure of S.O.Es to make a profit is hurting the country. He also suggested that perhaps Ministers should chair the Boards for government Ministries.
“They are the ones who respond to questions in Parliament,” Leala said. “The problem is when you ask a Minister, they don’t know the answer to your question.”
But Associate Minister of Public Enterprises, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang, disagrees. He said the bill should take away the “possibility of a Minister being the Chairman (of Board). “That is something we are trying to remove,” he said.
Another M.P, Tu’u’u Anasi’i Leota questioned why the Bill does not give an exact date for the Ministry to be established.
The Minister of Public Enterprises, Lautafi Selafi Purcell, said the Bill is necessary.
According to Lautafi, the S.O.E.s are “on vacation at the moment because there is not enough power to control them.
“The new Ministry and its structure will ensure that the law is enforced so we can follow up and monitor the performances of S.O.Es.”
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