Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has taken over the controversial Finance portfolio while creating a new ministry to run state owned enterprises.
Member of Parliament for Satupaitea, Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell was appointed to cabinet to head the new Ministry of Public Enterprises.
His appointment follows the resignation of Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga. Lautafi was sworn in by Head of State, His Higness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi in a brief ceremony at Luafatasaga house yesterday.
Tuilaepa said Lautafi is from Salafi and it was “appropriately righteous” for him to join cabinet after the resignation of the former Finance minister, also from Savai’i.
In naming Lautafi as the new member of Cabinet, Tuilaepa also revealed the new Ministry.
“He (Lautafi) is the first to take on the responsibilities of the new Ministry for state own enterprises.”
Lautafi will also be responsible for other portfolios that were under the Prime Minister, including The Public Service Commission, Samoa Land Corporation, Samoa Bureau of Statistics, Samoa Housing Corporation and Samoa Sports Facilities Authority.
Giving several of his portfolios to Lautafi “to keep him busy”, the Prime Minister said will mean him having enough time on his hands.
“Plenty of time for me to be the Minister of Finance,” said Tuilaepa. His taking over Finance means a return to a portfolio he last held 13 years ago.
Tuilaepa said for 20 years he has been sitting on the portfolio as the Minister of Finance from 1982 to 2001.
“There is nothing new it’s all old stuff,” he said.
“You just need to know how to add and take away.”
Speaking of the new Ministry, Tuilaepa pointed out the ministry “should’ve been established long ago.
<!-- 336x280 (bottom-article) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-2469982834957525"
data-ad-slot="1033882026"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}
“The Ministry will make it legal, and a requirement, for state own enterprises to pay out dividends to the Ministry to help government developments,” he said.
This means the Ministry of Finance will no longer have to deal with the S.O.E’s.
Tuilaepa made it clear he has already sought advice from the office of the Attorney General on the establishment of the new ministry.
Prior to Faumuina’s resignation, there were nine Ministers from Upolu and three from Savai’i.
Lautafi’s appointment means the numbers of cabinet ministers between the islands are maintained.
The new minister shed a few tears as he stood before Tui Atua for his swearing in.
There was applause from those in the house when Lautafi’s name was announced. In an interview with the media, Lautafi said his appointment was God’s will.
He thanked the Prime Minister for giving him the opportunity to be part of the Cabinet.
“It’s been a while since our constituency had last sat on a minister’s seat,” he said.
“This is God’s will…the boy from Salafai is always first and this is an honour for our big island because the island is known for making things possible.”
Lautafi also thanked his constituency and the country for their prayers. Asked if he was ready to get busy, Lautafi said “there are many portfolios but a minister should be ready to work without fear.
“The Ministries are very different but I feel with God’s help it can be done for the betterment of Samoa.”
Asked about the appointment, Minister of Justice Courts and Administration, Fiame Naomi Mataafa said she was satisfied with the new Minister.
“Just like what the Prime Minister said, it is a righteous decision, to give it to someone from Savai’i,” she said. “Although the minister is new, he is someone that has the wisdom and is knowledgeable.
“He also another influential person from Satupaitea and these are all important factors.”
Opposition Tautua M.P., Toeolesulusulu Cedric Shuster also agreed with the appointment.
“It was a good one, well done,” he said referring to Lautafi’s appointment.
Deputy Prime Minister Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo said he “one hundred percent” supported the decision.
Those that were at the swearing also included Her Highness Masiofo Filifilia Efi, Chief Justice Tiavaasue Falefatu Sapolu, Speaker of the House Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao, Council of Deputies Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and his wife Faamausili, cabinet ministers, members of parliament and government officials.
<!-- samoa_observer.ws -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="5306335075"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}