Cabinet this week accepted the resignation of the Regulator, Afioga Lematua Gisa Fuatai Purcell, who has stepped down from her role due to health reasons..
Lematua Gisa has led the Office of the Regulator (OTR) since she was appointed in September 2020. She was serving her second term, with a recent contract renewal in 2024.
The OTR regulates the electricity and telecommunications sectors, as well as broadcasting and postal.
Prime Minister, Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt confirmed Lematua’s resignation during his weekly press conference on Thursday, stating health reasons.
“Ua talia e le kapeneta le faamavaega aloaia a lē sa avea foi ma Pule Faatonu o le Ofisa o Pule Faatonu, ia Gisa Lematua Fuatai Purcell, ona o tulaga o lona gasegase ua faamavae aloaia ai,” said the Prime Minister.
Laaulialemalietoa acknowledged Lematua’s extensive service to Samoa, not only in her current role as Regulator, but also in representing Samoa at the international level in telecommunications.
Prior to moving back in 2022 to take up CEO of the Regulator, Lematua was based in London where she had been the Acting Secretary General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO).
“E avea ai lenei avanoa tāua e momoli atu ai le agaga faafetai a le tatou Malo ona o le soifua auauna a Lematua Gisa aemaise foi o le aiga, le Afioga ia Honourable Lautafi Purcell, ona o le faamoemoe ua i’u ai le tulaga o le galuega sa feagai ai – i lenei fia tausaga o tautua le tatou atunuu.
A 1973 graduate of Samoa College, Lematua held senior positions within Samoa’s Ministry of Communication, Information and Technology before she was posted abroad.
Lematua has over 30 years experience in telecommunication and information and communication technology (ICT) at the national, regional and international level.
Her high level understanding, expertise and leadership of this crucial development sector for Samoa, will be sorely missed.
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