By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
Two very heartwarming achievements during the week just ended swept across Apia like much needed breath of fresh air.
The Bank South Pacific Samoa Country Manager, Taituuga Maryanne Lameko-Vaai, stepped up to become regional manager for the bank.
The Naseri and Associates Family Medical Clinic officially opened for the former Ministry of Health Director General, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri.
The 49-year-old Taituuga is probably the first Samoan woman to step up in the banking industry at this management level as regional manager.
Taituuga distinguished herself when she helped lead the BSP, a regional newcomer, to become the leading bank in Samoa.
In the process it uprooted the ANZ Bank from the top seat after many years.
Her promotion to manage all the 6 offshore branches of the bank is deserving recognition of her management skills.
Her proud moment is also one for Samoa too. A worthy celebration.
The Naseri and Associates Family Medical Clinic was another proud occasion with its official opening.
The transition into private practice was deemed the better option by the former head of the Ministry of Health.
It has certainly NOT been a CEO-friendly environment for him and a few selected others since the new Government came into power.
Nothing much appears to have changed since.
The new political masters brought a cleansing axe to grind against CEOs they felt were not Government-friendly.
Several CEOs have since been sent reeling. The Government axe chopped either head-on or in subtle ways like not extending or renewing appointment contracts.
Leausa ended up in the same rocking CEO boat.
A PSC inquiry that appeared to pop out of nowhere on a cat-scanner for the Ministry of Health seriously rocked his contract renewal chances.
It started with a big rush and ended quietly with out a peep. What has become of the inquiry remains a mystery.
Meanwhile, after close to 10 years of keeping Samoa in good health as the top health public servant, Leausa felt his best option is to move on.
To prove that he can do it with the opening of his medical clinic is an inspiration to the other CEOs still hanging on to a sinking boat.
Leausa joined the lead set by Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio.
The former Electoral Commissioner/Lands and Titles Court Deputy President, set up his own private law firm a few weeks earlier.
Faimalomatumua went into partnership with former assistant Attorney General Fuimaono Sefo, who decided to switch over to the private sector after many years with the Office of the Attorney General.
What touches deeply about these top public servants taking their skills and experience out of the public sector is the sad treatment that forced them out.
To end a career on a sour and undeserving note dictated by political insecurity of the Government in place is tragic, after the better part of a person’s working life of service to the country.
But if there is any bright spark in all the unhappy toss up in the service of these CEOs, it is the resilience they have shown to land on their feet.
What they have achieved is and should be an inspiration for the others who have or are suffering under the same treatment.
To struggle and succeed without any loud, drum banging of support from the Public Servants Association is even more rousing.
The PSA is supposed to look after their working rights but it has been strangely quiet after an early wake up revival.
Life goes on! What these ex-CEOs have down is to pick themselves up from the low blows of life and moved on.
The heart thumps and soars at the strength of character they are showing.
The personal resolve Leausa and Faimalomatumua have shown should fire up the Government CEO community to take courage from.
They deserve to be congratulated well.
There is a much bigger challenge beyond being dangled at the whim of a political axe and these two have taken it.
All others who are ready to stand firm and strong against the challenges of the private sector should be cheered on loudly.
These are real life drama of heroic career transitions against ill treatment and abuse by the insecurities of the political masters of the day.
To watch and admire this show of courage and determination is a rare blessing.
We have been choked up for sometime now in the vomit of sick, despiteful politics of Government, we deserve a breath of healthy, fresh, air for a change.
Cabinet ministers allegedly buying expensive used cars out of donor money with private license plates to run on is nauseating.
Muscling the traditional authority of chiefs and orators to the will of Government with taxpayers money handouts is depressing.
Where else can we find healthy and inspiring air to breath-in without throwing up?
Thank you Taituuga, Leausa and Faimalomatumua for opening up this window of appreciation in the human fighting spirit, for us the public to breath good, clean, happy, air for a change.
Our best thoughts are with you and your personal endeavors on the road ahead.
God bless.