By Martha Taumata
The Minister of Finance, Sili Epa, has effectively put to rest pre-general election rumours that he is switching to a new electoral constituency for the 2021 general elections.
Sili confirmed exclusively to Newsline Samoa on Friday that he never had any intentions of running from anywhere else but the Salelologa Electoral Constituency.
“Moving out of Salelologa for another Electoral Constituency was never an option for me,” he strongly assured.
“ My Salelologa Constituency put me where I am now with their vote, how can I turn my back on them after the trust they placed on me.”
The Finance Minister blamed his political rivals in the constituency for circulating reports that he will be standing as a candidate for the new Electoral Constituency of Patamea and Samalaeulu.
Sili holds the matai title Sala from the villages and is eligible to stand as a candidate for election.
More reports of a falling out between the Minister and the constituency because he seldom visits ever since he took up office were soundly rejected as well.
“As a Cabinet Minister I have a different calling from God than any of my political rivals who are busy with their own responsibilities.
“If I am not around, it’s because of my Ministerial duties keeps me away.
“I cannot afford to sit around in Savai’i while I am required by my responsibilities to Government to be working.”
Sili is confident the Constituency still has the trust in him . He accepts that political loyalties are always divided in their choice of candidates but he believes in the support of the majority.
“ I know of a smear campaign being carried out about me by my political rivals in the Constituency but I have no intention of responding to any of the bad mouthing I’ve been getting from them.
“ If they want to do that, it’s up to them but I’ve more important work to do than worry about the bad things they are running me down with.
“ If I or my work is to be judged then it is by God only and I know and trust in the confidence of the Constituency in me.”
The Minister is a first year elected Member of Parliament .
He is eager to return to Salelologa as soon as he is free to do so. For now he is tied up with the Parliament session for the budget debate and numerous other Ministerial responsibilities.
He is hopeful that God will spare him a day to be able to meet with his Constituency.
Sili who is also the Minister for the Samoa National Provident Fund, SNPF, made his comments to Newsline Samoa after the official announcement of a $64.5 million tala dividend injection for the financial period ending 30 June 2020.
The dividends will be paid out over a scheduled five injection period that started back in 2019 with just under $8m tala.
The largest injection of just over $23m tala is scheduled to be credited to contribution accounts of members on the 1st of July 2020.
Cash payments of $14.2m, $10.6m and $10.5, tala respectively are lined up for three separate disbursements with the last one set for the 22 March 2021.
The overall dividends payout is timed to give contributors a helping hand during the difficult economic period of the COVID 19 pandemic.
