LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Now that we have celebrated our 61st Independence yesterday, everyone is now back home reminiscing about the year-long festivities celebrating 60 years of our Independence.
What next?
The Budget estimates for the new year of Government activities may be looked at, on what more the governing Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party has in store to keep up with its political campaigning.
The Budget estimates tabled this week, provide some insights into Governments proposed plan for the New Year.
Indeed, the budget speech made mention of proposed projects in general terms to be executed.
Government expects to increase Aid Grants from Donor Partners.
Many businesses are expected to file Tax Returns happily now that many projects have been announced for implementation.
Wonderful dreams!
No new concessionary loans are anticipated because Donor grants will take care of Samoa’s financial needs.
Even the Cabinet Development Committee will monitor project implementation.
Millions of dollars are injected into other institutions and questionable expenditures have been proposed.
Like Forensic Audit, Victims’ Support, and beefing up bankrupt communication businesses operated by friends of the Ministers.
Many questions remain unanswered!
The $500,000 budgeted figures previously for Victim Support have been channeled through Samoa Victims Support Group to provide handouts of equipment to Ministers Constituencies.
The SVSG is now a political agent of the FAST Government.
SVSG Accounts should be Audited and submitted to Parliament.
There was also no Forensic Audit conducted.
Where is the budget provision of the past year for this expense?
Has it been used again by Cabinet for their political campaigns?
Good project implementation depends on the professionalism of the Public Service.
The political sacking of highly qualified and experienced Public Servants, and the appointment to public office of friends and family members who are unqualified, and the dissolution of the Cabinet Development Committee over two years ago by Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa will no longer guarantee the proper use of Aid Donor Funds and the efficient implementation of projects.
Since FAST took over in 2021, Good Governance is ignored.
Government Deposits made during the HRPP Government have been used up.
Even the fund for Accident Compensation is now being drawn down too.
And Ministers are busy taking over businesses small families depend upon to support their children
The latest bizarre, greedy take over by the Minister of Agriculture of the Travel Agency for weekly chartered flights from China, set up in record time, is creating anger amongst many small family Travel Agency businesses.
The Minister’s family collects close to US$100,000 per week [equivalent to $250,000 tālā per week or $500,000 tālā fortnight, or one million tālā a month].
This new travel business undertaking is in addition to the recently formed businesses to sell Guns, and operate Heavy Machinery to carry out Construction works funded by Donor Partners.
More new businesses may be in the making.
Being entrepreneurial is good for the economy, but when Ministers of Cabinet actively use their power to enrich themselves openly, this is bad.
Even the Deputy PM is currently facing litigation etc, etc.
Seven times, I asked the question of Laauli about the murder of Tuau.
There is still no response.
There is a reason for my asking.
And I will keep asking more questions.
This Party looks forward with anticipation to the debate on the 2023 budget especially, to get answers for the questions raised.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP