By Martha Taumata Faavae
Associate Minister Peseta Vaifou is confident he has done enough good deeds for his Fa’asaleleaga No. 5 Constituency in Savai’i to deserve re-election next year.
“ But God has the last say,” he bowed in reverence.
Peseta serves out his second consecutive 5-year term in Parliament at the end of the current sitting before the 2021 General Elections.
He pointed to single handedly building the Primary School at one of his constituency villages in Lano, as his biggest and most worthy contribution to his electors’ development.
Fa’asaleleaga No. 5 is a three-village constituency of Lano, Pu’apu’a and Asaga.
“My home village is Pu’apu’a but I responded to the appeal for a building to house the primary school at Lano because the future of the children is involved.
“My children don’t go to school there but I have a heart for our children in the villages.”
The MP also takes credit for the laying of access roads during his term to make it possible for his constituents to work on their plantations .
Many are also able to relocate inland to reside closer to where they work on the land.
“My constituency will be happy to know also, that our next major development project is the construction of a new bridge to replace the river ford crossing at Lano village.
“Construction of the Mali’oli’o River Bridge is done and the Minister of Works has confirmed the Lano Bridge to be next.”
Peseta asserted that he has done well for the constituency and it serves as a sign of all the effort that he had put in as the elected Member of Parliament.
He added that other MPs are also pushing for similar developments in their respective electorates and it is a matter of continuing to knock on the Government doors.
“That’s my job as an MP and the results demonstrate the quality of the person entrusted with the responsibilities for the constituency.
“I feel I’ve lived up to the expectations but whatever good you have done the final decision on who wins the general elections is God.
“But I do welcome the challenge for my seat and may the best candidate wins.”
Peseta edged out his lone challenger in a tight two-man race in the 2016 general elections to return for his second term.
He vehemently rejected pre-election reports being circulated that he plans to run for another constituency.
“ I know I have the strong support of my village Pu’apu’a and if I did not have their support there’s no point running again.
In politics when the village leaders give you their blessings as an election candidate you are basically assured of the seat.”
Several more candidates are expected to challenge the hold Peseta has for two back-to-back terms in Parliament.
The villages of Lano and Asaga are reported to be making nominations for their own candidates.
All are also expected to run under the Government HRRP party in the polls next year.
Peseta is the ministerial shadow for the Prime Minister in his Cabinet portfolio for the Ministry.
His name has been linked to the recent drama in the fallout from the resignation of another HRPP Savai’i based MP.