By Martha Taumata Faavae
Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi has alleged that Government is desperate for money and it is the root of all the controversial decisions that has now included making changes to the Constitution.
The former Head of State as well as Prime Minister voiced his concerns to the local media called to his home at Tuaefu on Friday.
Tui Atua invited the media a week earlier to vent his anger at comments by the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, that he found insulting to members of the Constitutional Convention who framed the Constitution.
He continued his attack on Friday to the proposed changes to the Constitution but this time with claims that frantic attempts by Government for money is largely to blame.
He alleged that the Ministry of Health tried to procure new vaccines for the measles but were denied by the lack of finances.
The national carrier Samoa Airways is claimed to be running at a loss with not enough travellers to cover costs.
While earnings are down Government is still looking to buy or lease an aircraft, which puts pressure on finding new sources of revenue.
Tui Atua also brought into the frame the involvement of money laundering.
He wrapped up his allegations with confirmation that the decision to impose taxes on church ministers and also to the Head of State is to do with the lack of money.
Tui Atua quoted directly from a meeting while he was Head of State with the Minister of Revenue, Tialavea John Hunt, and his staff who formally informed him of the taxes.
“Tialavea and his staff told me that the new tax policy is to fund the budget for the Ministries of Education and Health, this was after they made an earlier claim that the tax was to ensure it was fair for everyone.”
He went on to express strong reservations about the Constitutional changes and they may have a negative bearing on international human rights and religious rights conventions Samoa has already signed up to.