We often hear of our Lord’s great message to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
If we all heed this great lesson to guide our lives, much of the unnecessary sufferings due to bad decisions made or non-decisions on major issues pending by those holding positions of responsibilities who can make things happen will have been avoided.
True we are human and we all make mistakes.
But when we rise to power with enormous responsibilities, due to generous promises of rewards for the King makers, it is reasonable to expect the appointees to deliver.
Too often the “who cares” attitude over a glass of wine in a night club does sound sweet during these hard times when many families try to make ends meet.
Right now, our people are faced with many challenges requiring leadership at all levels, not only from the government authorities but also from the village Chiefs and church leaders to lighten the burden and remove the uncertainties amongst the flock.
The Government has the resources and capability to provide effective leadership during these trying times instead of prioritizing Political Fundraisings and national joy making on a weird whole year of Independence Celebrations.
It is surprising that no one in Cabinet remembers the formula that poverty is equal to celebrations for 365 days plus no more time for work and development!
This is the reason why we devoted only two days a year for Independence Celebrations.
In the wake of the disasters of Climate Change, the ongoing pandemic and threat of other new viruses, and the recession, hard decisions and actions are urgent now.
Politics is over after the General Election of 9th April 2021.
The one million tālā grant to districts promised in the election campaigns should provide some relief but it is fraught with numerous strings attached causing delays after delays in what the villages ought to do.
Simple weaknesses that should have been factored into the village development program at the planning stage were totally ignored.
And all we see now are isolated ceremonial shows of projects launched or completed that were initiated by the previous administration (plus witch hunting) which prompted another recent and un-researched editorial by the Samoa Observer newspaper.
Indeed procrastination is a great evil to resilience and sustainable development in our small economy.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP