By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
‘Where’s the love’ is more than just asking why Government CEOs are being treated poorly as their work contract runs out.
In the case of CEO Afamasaga Dr. Karoline Fuata’i, it went beyond having her contract with the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture terminated for a minor miscommunication error.
Unity, leadership, decision-making and the real holder of power in Cabinet were dragged under the unflattering attention of public analysis from it.
When the Minister of Education renege on the CEO for what he at first publicly declared as trivial, it fired up the curiousity.
What changed his mind? Who changed it? Why? Is it anything to do with love of your fellow man or being coerced into towing the party line?
Guilty conscience can be a morally debilitating consequence. Unfortunately, one person’s burden of guilt is another’s triumph to boast.
The Minister of Education was certainly not celebrating. Who was?
The Minister of Agriculture would feel justified that his wish to rid of the CEO was granted. He would be ‘pumped.’
The one bright spot worthy of love in this sad affair is the gracious way the CEO bowed out without pointing any accusing or condemning finger.
Shows a lot of depth and wisdom of good counsel. Afamasaga simply took her dismissal on the chin and reached for her packing boxes to cart her personal belongings home.
What will become of her fellow CEOs whose contracts were abruptly terminated?
Have they recovered from the shock of contracts being terminated, effective immediately, as they packed up to go home unaware until then, it was to be the last time as a CEO?
Of course they can always reapply for their old job but with what level of confidence and assurance they will get back in?
Any servant of the public given a shabby treatment after many years of loyal service would be riddled with self-doubt.
Against the backdrop of a Government with election promises to ‘clean up the swamp’ if they get in, it is hard to fault their insecurities.
When dedication and resolve to raise the quality of the work is perceived as political loyalty to the opposing side, then it makes it worse.
The question is not ‘where’s the love’ but why the cold treatment?
After pouring all your knowledge, determination and sacrifice to provide the best service for the people, surely this is not the kind of thank you to treasure in your retirement as a memorable send off?
The impersonal treatment of these old hand CEOs is not going to do the new applicants any good either especially if they are successful.
The smear of the political nod over knowledge and experience will stand out as an ugly birthmark whether it is fair or not.
If or when the HRPP or a new Government takes over, what is stopping them from giving the same treatment to these smeared CEOs as it is being done to the ones with terminated contracts?
CEO work transition is a normal process decided by merit and should have stayed that way.
Politics has poked its manipulative nose into the process. The disservice and injustice it has created is not just to the deserving, well educated sons and daughters of Samoa but to the whole country.
This is poor leadership.
“Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”
Such a noble call that has turned into a sad, heartbreaking injustice for our CEOs past, present and future, who responded to “…what you can do for your country…” more than “…what your country can do for you.”
In the final analysis, our political leaders have become too blinded by their ambition for power, to appreciate the sacrifice our highly qualified sons and daughters are doing for us as a country.
Shame!