Land C.E.O. stays silent

“To say that our kids will suffer is wrong. We are implementing the developments, reaping the fruits and we are also paying for it at the same time. What’s so difficult about that? There is no difficulty whatsoever” – P.M. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

This is despite mounting pressure for her to resign over allegations surrounding the running of the Corporation, raised by Controller and Chief Auditor, Fuimaono Camillo Afele.

The allegations involve “corrupt practises” among others, which were backed by the Officers of Parliament Committee (O.P.C) that had been tasked by Parliament to investigate Fuimaono’s report.

Contacted for a comment, Afoa through her secretary, declined.

The Secretary instead told the Samoa Observer that the Corporation’s new Minister, Lautafi Fio Purcell, has already responded and Afoa does not have anything further to say.

Last month, Minister Lautafi rejected a call from fellow H.R.P.P member, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang, for the government to terminate the services of Afoa as C.E.O.

Lautafi, who was recently made a Cabinet Minister, after Faumuina’s resignation over a number of issues – including Chief Auditor

Fuimaono’s report - said there are proper procedures in place to deal with the issue.

“The report is before Parliament,” he said about the Chief Auditor’s and the O.P.C report. “As far as I’m concerned, we should let the

Parliamentary process take its course. When that is done, whatever the government’s response is and if the Attorney General recommends to press charges, then we act on it.”

“But we can’t cut in to it (the parliamentary process).”

Lautafi said the “Parliamentary process is the most superior process.” But he is not ruling out taking action later on.

“If the Attorney General urges that something should be done, then we will cross that bridge when we get there,” he said. "In the meantime, I would urge that we let the process take its course, it’s the proper process.”

But Papali’i, who is a member of the O.P.C and the Chairman of the Public Finance and Expenditure Committee, is not impressed.

He maintains that the C.E.O. should have been “at least suspended” the minute the O.P.C report was tabled in Parliament.

“My point is that I am not happy because the allegations made by the Auditor were reconfirmed by our Parliamentary committee,” he said.

“She should have been suspended after our (O.P.C) report was confirmed because these were serious allegations not just simple (ones). It’s just that I don’t feel good knowing this is happening and nothing is being done.”

More than this, Papali’i said as soon as Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi took over the S.L.C. portfolio, he should have addressed the situation.

“When he came and took over S.L.C. that is the moment he should have done something,” said Papali’i.

“But he never did anything. I am still pushing for that C.E.O. to be terminated, it is just not right.”

Papali’i said there is no need for any further investigation.

“We have done the investigation. We have proven the Auditor’s allegations to be correct that collusion has been committed among the Minister, the C.E.O. and the contractor and we have all the documented evidence to prove that. And yet nothing is done.”

“So I will say not suspend her but terminate her immediately.”

Earlier this year, Papali’i also questioned the Board of directors in relation to the allegations.

“Where is the Board of Directors?” he asked during a recent interview. “They’ve heard and they’ve known all this right from the time we exposed the report.”

“Once the Auditor’s Report was tabled, it was public, they should’ve known from the Report the irregularities; they should have asked the C.E.O; asked her what are these? Discipline her. Sack her.”

“Now that the Minister has resigned because of all these serious allegations against him because of his involvement with S.L.C, what are they doing to the C.E.O?”

“She should be out first, not the Minister. And that’s why I’m asking, where is the Board of Directors? What are you doing?”