The Samoa Ports Authority have bid farewell to General Manager, So’oalo Maua’i Falelima Kuresa So’oalo, who had served in this role for eight years.
A special blessing and faigalotu ceremony was led by Reverand Peter Lokeni of EFKS Faatoia.
Sooalo has this week officially registered as a candidate in the upcoming general elections, competing for the Gagaifomauga 2 seat from Savaii.
“It is time for me to step down and let others take on this position,” said Sooalo Kuresa in a press statement.
“I have great faith in our Management and Staff and they will continue on with the work we had been doing..”
Sooalo has been the GM since he was first appointed by Cabinet in 2017. He resigns to enter politics halfway through his third contract with SPA (2017-2020, 2020-2023, 2023-2025).
Prior to SPA, Sooalo served as Assistant General Manager heading the Finance division at the Samoa Shipping Corporation for 15 years.
Sooalo thanked the Chairman and Board of Directors as well as the SPA Management and Staff.
“I couldn’t have done it without their commitment and hard work,” he said.
The Samoa Ports Authority has achieved several milestones in the past 8 years of So’oalo’s leadership as GM.
Ports infrastructure development, overall port operations and staff capacity building have been some of Sooalo’s key areas of focus.
The Samoa Ports Authority also improved its financial status under Sooalo’s leadership – achieving a Net Profit consistently since 2017, enabling it to pay dividends to the Government of Samoa, as regulated under the Public Bodies Act 2001.
On its 25th anniversary last year, the Authority noted that it has paid a total accumulated dividend of $25 million tala to the Government since it’s establishment.
Sooalo will be running the election under the banner of SUP – the Samoa Uniting Party led by Caretaker Prime Minister Hon Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.
The race for the Gagaifomauga 3 seat will be heavily contested with former HRPP Associate Minister Sooalo Mene running for Labour and Tologataua Sooalo Sioeli running for HRPP.
- NZ Immigration Urge People Planning to Spend Christmas with Family in NZ to Apply Early for Visas - October 4, 2026
- Toa Samoa and Fetu Samoa to Return Home for World Cup Prayer Service - October 4, 2026
- Asia Games Opens Door for Oceania Weightlifting Teams - October 3, 2026
