GOOD TIMES : Happier times for Pauli leading his staff in the celebration of the SNPF golden jubilee birthday in March last year 2022.
By Staff Writer
The Samoan National Provident Fund Chief Executive Officer, Pauli Prince Suhren, chances of reclaiming his job is axed before he could speak.
His name was chopped off the shortlisted candidates for the final and decisive interview to appoint a new head of the Fund.
Pauli was officially informed this week of the selection panel’s decision based on consideration and assessment of his competencies for CEO.
His name was among the applicants forced to re-submit applications for the second time after the panel canceled on the first round of calls for those interested to apply.
The selection panels short list omission is likely to come as a shock to Pauli who has already served 6 years with the SNPF through 2 consecutive 3 year contracts.
Pauli first took over the running of the Fund from his predecessor Faumuina Esther Lameko-Poutoa in 2017.
He was lauded when appointment as a ‘lau i’a’ or big fish, by the Prime Minister at the time, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
The SNPF golden jubilee birthday celebrations around the middle of last year, endeared Pauli to the country as the face behind the generous benefits for contributors, to mark the occasion.
History was made last year also when the Fund broke past the $1 billion tala mark for the very first time of total worth of net assets.
“The financial status of the Fund has grown from a ‘total net profit of $35.6m tala in 2017 to $85.6m last year in 2021, with total net assets blossoming from $629m tala in 2017 to $928m in 2021,” Pauli chirped in at the time to add to the happy anniversary celebrations.
Included in his achievements as well was the Fund opening for the first time last year a building of its own to operate from in Savai’i.
The Pauli name is now added to the list of CEO removed from office under an expanding cloud of controversy since the start of the FAST Government watch.
Several CEOs ended up with what was publicly criticised as politically tainted marching orders by the ruling party when they took over the Government.
CEO job contracts were targeted for termination in pre-election promises by FAST party campaigners and it cost several heads of Ministries employment, shortly after the new Government took over.
The uncertain cloud of job security for Government CEOs is likely to hang over the public sector with the removal of Pauli from as an employed public servant.