By Martha Taumata Faavae
Gagaemauga No. 1 Member of Parliament, Fa’aso’otauloa Pati Taulapapa, has officially announced his retirement from politics.
The 86 year old former Minister of Environment and current associate Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries made his intentions formal at the opening session of Parliament this morning.
“ It is time for me to step down and let someone else take over the seat,” he told Parliament.
He was the first to take the floor at the start of the supplementary budget debate this morning and ended his address with a final farewell to politics.
Fa’aso’otauloa first represented his Savaii constituency in 1990 and stayed on until 2006.
He returned in 2016 when he topped the poll to reclaim his former seat against three other candidates.
The departing MP joins the list of other House elders made up of the Speaker Toleafoa Fa’afisi and Falealupo opposition MP Aeau Peniamina.
All are also making last farewells in the final session of Parliament before it is dissolved in preparations for the April general elections.
