Farmers break ties with S.F.I, new body announced

A group of farmers unhappy about the running of the Samoa Farmers Incorporated (S.F.I) have broken ties with the Association to form a new farmers’ body.

To be called “Samoa Farmers Federation,” (S.F.F) the group is spearheaded by one of the Founders of S.F.I, Saena Penaia Tialino. Among the members are former Member of Parliament, Loau Keneti Sio, Papali’i Panoa Moala, Seumanutafa Dr. Malcolm Hazelman and others.

During Friday’s special A.G.M for S.F.I, Saena, who was the spokesperson for the group walked out of the meeting held at the Tu’utu’uileloloto Hall.

Yesterday, they announced their plan to set up S.F.F and invited any farmer who wishes to join to do so.

This was done in a “Press Release” issued by “Members of the Organising Committee Samoa Farmers Federation”.

A large part of the press release cannot be published.

But the group is clearly disappointed about the conduct of the S.F.I Executive, in particular President Afamasaga Fa’amatala Tole’afoa.

“In our humble opinion, M.C.I.L and the elected Executives should be ashamed of this meeting’s result,” the statement from the group reads.

The new organisation will allow farmers to “at least have a choice”.

“It is better for us to establish another transparent and accountable organization which should adhere to principles of “good governance” and to at least give a choice to farmers to take up membership and expect benefit generated for all and not a few selected friends…”

The group also criticised the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour’s (M.C.I.L) handling of the battle between them and the Executive of S.F.I.

“One thing we know of is that the action of the M.C.I.L has been defensive without admitting that their delayed actions to resolve this mess in the Samoa Farmers Association for over seven years have contributed to Friday’s meeting embarrassing result,” the group says.

“We mean that if M.C.I.L have acted professionally in the first 2 – 3 years of this delayed seven years without A.G.Ms and audited accounts, this Friday’s embarrassing result wouldn’t have happened.

“To say the least, the M.C.I.L said in one of the meetings when trying to resolve the mess two months ago, they said that “dissolution and deregistering” is not an option but keeping the organization was M.C.I.L’s gift to the Association.

“Unfortunately, this is not a valid excuse (not) to do the right thing. After all, where were they in the last seven years?”

“Frankly, the election and reappointment of Mr. Afamasaga Toleafoa and the gang was even made worse by the inefficiencies and the unprofessionalism shown by the M.C.I.L staff…”

It was not possible to obtain a comment from M.C.I.L yesterday.

Getting back to the affairs of S.F.I though, especially in relation to its accounts, the group claims that they “have obtained copies of audited accounts from the registrar of companies (2009-2012)”.

“In the opinion of the auditor (Lesa ma Penn) is qualified,” the group claims.

“Interestingly, their comments said ”the auditors are unable to verify 100per cent of receipts and payments due to an absence of any accounting records”.

The group claims that the Auditor’s opinion “is consistent throughout the four years being audited”.

“From the Auditor’s opinion, this is enough indication that the current executive should never be reappointed…”

“Having said the above, we the organizing committee for the new proposed farmers association (Farmer Association Federation) have given us enough reasons not to fill any of our candidates to contest in the Friday’s special meeting.

“As witnessed by many attendants of the Friday, 19th June 2015, meeting, our spokesman Saena Penaia Tialino, after voicing our concerns and objections to the gathering based on the poor management by the executive, we decided to show respect by respectfully bowing out and telling them that we wouldn’t nominate any candidates for this election.

“However, we are leaving the meeting but announcing our next move to establish “Samoa’s Farmers Federation” followed by inviting any Farmers who would like to join the new organization.

“Without saying further, this is our official statement to brief the public about the background of our decision to have walked out of Fridays’ meeting.

“Thus, we welcome all farmers and friends who would be interested in joining the new proposed (Samoa Farmers Federation) so stay tuned.

“We would advice you in the next few weeks of our first meeting, your organizing committee will work on the constitution as our first step towards working on the S.F.F. The contact phones should you be interested in sharing the idea are: 7730558, 7702010, 7784267, 7516773 and 7777038”.