By Staff Writer
The Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, swept into Parliament dressed in black on the final day of budget debate on Wednesday, after an absence of two weeks.
The PM arrived home safely from her first official visit outside of Samoa as Government leader in several countries as far as in Central Africa.
The Speaker, Papali’i Taeu Masepa’u, suspended Parliament proceedings briefly to welcome her back.
Fiame was still able to address the budget before it was passed in a final vote.
While off island the PM attended a meeting of Pacific Island leaders in Fiji and travelled to New Zealand for Treaty of Friendship talks with PM Jacinda Ardern.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, was her final official engagement in Rwanda, Central Africa.
The PM returned bearing proud confirmation of Samoa as the host country for the next CHOGM meeting in 2024.
Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, congratulated Fiame on the effort that went into the long trip to attend the important Commonwealth Head of Government meeting.
A former world traveller himself over the years, Tuilaepa, is aware of the toll on long distance travel Fiame has just returned home from. (See other story on CHOGM)
Fiame created a small public stir when she appeared in a heavy red winter overcoat in New Zealand that was seen by her critics as promoting her FAST party colours when she was on national duties.
Arriving home dressed in black made for a sharp contrast to her preferred bright travel colours that she was seen wearing while attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda.