Press Release : Samoa’s Parliamentary Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says it is humiliating to hear that the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party government of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has asked the New Zealand Finance Ministry for help to draw up their much anticipated first budget.
“It is humiliating and will be frowned upon by the New Zealand government,” said the father of Samoas economic boom years.
He said Samoa has some of the top economic minds in the region and any new government will not go wrong by seeking them out for assistance.
He said former Finance Minister Sili Epa Tuioti has served Samoa for almost four decades both as head of Economic Development and then as Financial Secretary to government.
Tuilaepa also pointed out Tunaimatuna Iulai Lavea who served as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance after the departure of Sili Epa Tuioti.
“Some of our top minds like Tuna’imatuna have been snatched up by top regional organisations because of their proven abilities,” said Tuilaepa, an economist by profession.
He said one of his proudest moments at regional level was when leaders of New Zealand and Australia sought out Samoan diplomat, Aiono Mose Sua, to give them a review of regional plans on some conventions discussed at Forum Leaders Meeting.
“My advice to Fiame and her inexperienced Cabinet, cast your net locally where there are big fish in our small pond.”