Government Treasury and Commercial Banks are not personal piggy banks

This week, we read reports that all our four commercial banks have declined the Government’s request to provide overdraft facilities for District Fono Faavae Offices.

This is a national embarrassment and a sign that the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Government is facing serious financial difficulties.

How does the government expect private banks to risk their account holders money to cover loans to Fono Faavae that have been abusing taxpayer funds?

The Government’s cash flow appears unable to meet its obligations, which should not come as a surprise.

We have witnessed Fono Faavae funds used to lavish FAST Party leaders with monetary gifts and fine mats at official government events including the Independence Celebrations and the opening of the incomplete Legislative Administration Building.

The building, funded by the Government of Australia, may not be finished until later this year.

New Zealand is another donor watching how its taxpayer funds are being managed by the FAST Government.

Three months ago, the New Zealand Prime Minister confirmed that his country had already sent over the $10 million tālā settlement for the Manawanui disaster.

However, Safata residents are still waiting for their compensation payments.

This month we also learned that the FAST Government has millions of tālā worth of outstanding debt for medical supplies.

Meanwhile, the FAST government continues to pay maintenance and operating costs of the unusable $20 million tālā Aurora ferry that it purchased.

The Government must urgently prioritize the needs of our people who are suffering from the increasing cost of fuel and basic food items instead of raiding the Treasury and begging banks for overdrafts so their supporters can feast like millionaires for a day.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP