Chairpersons and Board Members of public enterprises gathered with Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi and Cabinet at the Tooa Salamasina Hall last Friday, where in his keynote address, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa called on board members present not to become involved in the current political turmoil facing Samoa’s two main parties.
The Prime Minister said it has been 13 weeks since the new government took office, and the transition has not been easy with political advocates still in unrest.
“Sefulu tolu nei o vaiaso e le’o to’a finagalo o le atunuu, o lena tou te silasila atu i le mea lea e tau fa’afoefoe atu i manatu o i matou nei le au faipolokiki.”
“O la’u tatalo aua nei tou a’afia ie mea lea e alu ai, ae tula’i outou e fa’atino la outou galuega i le atunu’u.”
The Prime Minister urged Board members to remain focused on their roles for the betterment of the country.
“Don’t get involved, o le tu’ualalo lena.”
Laaulialemalietoa reminded the gathering that the General Election is over, and while everyone was free to vote for their preferred political party, it was now time to serve the Government of the day.
“Ua mavae le palota sa outou omai fai ai le aia tatau o le tagata ia poo fea le vaega faaupufai e lagolago ai, o le aia tatau lena a le tagata na amai e le Atua mo tatou.
“Ae a maea loa ona fai le filifiliga a Samoa o le filifiliga lena, ma e tatau ona aloaia mo le gasologa mo le lumanai.”
“It is the govt of the day that should be served well, mo le manuia o Samoa atoa.”
The Prime Minister also announced that the Ministry of Public Enterprises is currently reviewing its policies, noting that there is a lack of clarity over which Minister oversees the MPE
“O loo fefulifulisai le tulafono o le MPE..
Aisea? E leo mautu lelei faiga faavae poo le a tonu le mea e tatau ona taoto ai le MPE.”
He said adjustments are needed to clearly define which Minister public enterprises should report to and which authorities Board Members are accountable to.
“O loo tau fetuunai tulaga poo fea tonu lava o loo taoto ai le pulega.”
Samoa’s Ministry of Public Enterprises (MPE) aims to ensure government-owned bodies are productive, profitable, and provide quality public service to the people of Samoa.
It focuses on strong governance, financial sustainability, efficient operations, and compliance with laws like Samoa’s Public Bodies Act, ultimately contributing to national economic and social growth.
The role of MPS involves monitoring performance, offering policy advice, and fostering accountability for better service delivery to the People.
An example of the confusion referred to by the Prime Minister is for public trading bodies in the Infrastructure sector – Samoa Ports Authority, Samoa Shipping Corporation, Samoa Airport Authority where there is a Minister of Agriculture.
Another example is the Finance secto where there is a Minister of Finance overseeing Public Bodies such as Development Bank of Samoa, Samoa Housing Corporation, and SNPF.
Laaulialemalietoa said his Government will make that clarification and reforms within this term of office.
“Ma o le nofoaiga lenei, o le nofoaiga e uma ai le le malamalama, ma e tatau ona faamanino ma faataoto lelei poo le a le tulaga e tatau ona iai ona e tou te le mautonu ai poo fea le Miniisita tou te feagai, masalo pe tolu minisita eseese, ese mai ai ma le minisita o loo vaaia le MPE ese ai ma le responsible minister, ma o le tulaga lena e tatau ona faataatia faiga faavae faauma.”
Laaulialemalietoa added that changes will be made before the end of next year, with new policies to ensure Board Members clearly understand which Minister they answer to and to prevent confusion in governance and decision-making.
“A’o le’i uma le tausaga fou ua faataatia faiga faavae ina ia aua nei toe alu alu le tou galuega ae tou leiloa poo ai le Minister tou te agai iai ma e tatau ona faamanino ma faamalamalama.”
Another concern raised by the Prime Minister was the failure of several state-owned enterprises to submit their annual reports.
He revealed that out of the 27 public enterprises, only four have presented their reports to Parliament – the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority, Samoa Ports Authoriry, SROS and the MPE Ministry.
“Luasefulu fitu faalapotopotoga, ma ua uma ona faataatiae tulafono e aumai a outou ripoti faaletausaba i toyonu o le palemene, peitai, e uma ane le tausaga e nao le fa lava SOE’s na oo atu ripoti mai i le 27 faalapotopotoga a le maolo”
The Prime Minister stressed that annual reports are essential, as they must be presented in Parliament to ensure transparency, accountability, and public awareness of SOE operations.
He urged all remaining state-owned enterprises to comply and submit their reports without delay.
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