Parliament welcomed its newest member yesterday when Sagaga Le Usoga’s Member of Parliament, Seiuli Uelegitone Seiuli, took his oath at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi building.
Seiuli, who was declared the official winner of the Sagaga Le Usoga’s by-election on Monday, had his oath administered by the Speaker of Parliament, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao.
The new M.P. was well supported by his relatives, supporters from the constituency as well as friends who turned up to witness the ceremony.
Speaking to the Samoa Observer afterwards, Seiuli said he was humbled by the constituency’s faith in him to be their representative in Parliament.
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“Firstly, I give thanks to God for this great opportunity,” he said. “I want to also thank my constituency for placing their faith in me as well as my family for standing by me throughout everything.”
Seiuli also thanked the government and Parliament for accepting him. Seiuli is not new to the government.
He had worked as a Surveyor for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for more than twenty years, starting in 1987.
Sagaga le Usoga’s new M.P. takes oath Govt. moves on Ta’elefaga stench Ilia L Likou Help will soon be on the way for the residents of Taelefaga at remote Fagaloa.
General Manager of the Electric Power Corporation, Tologatā Tile Tuimaleali'ifano, has confirmed that the government has invited tenders from bidders to install pipelines to stop the stench the village has had to put with for years.
According to Tologata, the tendering process closes on 18 May 2015.
The tender is for a “company to design and build aeration at Afulilo dam as well as floating intake to take in fresh water from top surface of dam instead from the bottom of dam where oxygen is lacking causing unpleasant smell.”
The news from the E.P.C will come as a sweet music to the ears of Taelefaga residents who continue to hold out hope for the government to deliver on its promise to deal with the foul odour.
Two weeks ago, Ta’elefaga’s spokesperson, Leuta Sialafau Valoaga, said they are still waiting.
“We are still waiting for the government to deliver on its promise.”
Leuta said they are tired of waiting.
He wants the Minister of Works, Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala, to deliver on his Ministry’s promise.
“From the time that we met up with the Minister, until now, nothing is happening,” he said.
“We have never heard from the government since and as a matai of this village, I am very disappointed.
“We have sought the government’s assistance and we just don’t know what to do next. We just don’t know what other steps to take.”
Leuta said they will ask their Member of Parliament to follow up with the Minister.
At the time, the government offered him a scholarship to study towards a Certificate in Survey in the Solomon Islands. In 1992, he won another scholarship from the government to expand his knowledge about surveying at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.
He studied there for three years and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Survey. He returned and worked for the government until he resigned in 2013.
Asked about his immediate plans as an M.P, Seiuli said he wants to contribute to the development of his constituents’ economic prospects.
“I am looking at working on things like access roads and improving what needs to be done,” he said. “It’s one of the issues I would like to voice in Parliament.”
Seiuli is mindful that his term is not long given that the General Election is next year but he is positive saying a lot can be done between now and March next year.
On Friday, Seiuli’s winning margin was impressive. He defeated Fata Paulo Seuseu, of Afega, Logo Fetaomi Futialo, of Tuana’i and Vaotu’ua Maulolo, of Afega.
All four candidates vied for the seat under the flag of the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P).
Seiuli succeeds former M.P., Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, who resigned.
As part of the H.R.P.P’s package, Seiuli is likely to take over the Associate Minister of Trade role. He has already been made a member of the Officers of Parliament Committee.
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