(GOVT. PRESS SECRETARIAT); Cabinet is satisfied with the progress to a number of major development projects under construction and visited by the Cabinet Development Committee, (CDC) last Friday. But with the same token, the Prime Minister is imploring officials in charge of the respective projects to proceed with full speed.
“And should there be problems, they should be communicated to Cabinet so that it can be fixed immediately to ensure that there are no delays,” stressed Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi.
“The ultimate goal is for the projects to be commission for the benefit of the public as soon as possible,” he continued.
“Delays will lead to public complaints and left unanswered it will be converted by our political enemies into fake news which is brainwashing a lot of our people, mostly Samoans living overseas.
“It’s no wonder Facebook is littered with lies and deceit instigated by the government opposition.
“Many of our Samoans overseas are not aware of the developments in our country except for the fake news circulated by government opposition to deceive them of the real truth.”
The projects under construction covered by the five hour long on site visit by the CDC Committee includes;
- Matautu Ports Extension
- Samoa Submarine Cable Company’s Depot ( Matautu wharf)
- Vaisigano Bridge
- Fiaga Electric Power Generators
- Tanumalala Prison
- Faleolo International Airport
“Delays will lead to public complaints and left unanswered it will be converted by our political enemies into fake news which is brainwashing a lot of our people, mostly Samoans living overseas,”
PM Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi.
For readers who are not aware of the CDC, the Cabinet Development Committee meeting – or the CDC as known in public service circles, “is the most important committee in the whole of government,” says the Prime Minister.
It involves the Cabinet and all government chief executives and assistant chief executive representation. The committee meets every two months.
Major projects are introduced at this meeting and progress reports on various projects and programmes are also tabled before it.
There are also times when the CDC goes on field trips to inspect first-hand how government projects are progressing.
And the inspection is crucial for the government to check if the projects’ progress are proceeding on schedule and should there be any hick-ups government must take immediate actions.
“The on-site visits by the CDC is a regular fixture and reflects that Cabinet does not make decisions solely based on paper reports,” continued the Prime Minister
“It also shows that we are a working government from Cabinet Ministers to CEOs and all relevant senior Public Servants, we all play our role as laid out in our Strategy for the Development of Samoa 2016-2020.
“But paramount to Cabinet is that if there are problems then it needs to be fixed. And that cannot happen in our offices but out on the ground and in the field.”
Most important to the Prime Minister is for the public to be informed on what government is doing for their benefits.
“Do not fear the negative media coverage but address it so that our people will know the facts and the real truth instead of relying on one-sided and superficial newspaper reports,” he continued.
“If there are any articles that has your name is mentioned do not get offended but look beyond the article and see what you need to work on with your ministry so that next time you will not be the on front page.”
“But if you want to response to any of the articles that has your name mentioned there is our Savali Newspaper that is available as a vehicle to address inaccuracies published by the newspapers.
“Let our people know that government is not resting on its laurels and government’s priority remains and will continue to be for the benefit of our people.”
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