Cabinet this afternoon up-held the recommendation by the Selection
Panel to appoint Lematua Gisa Fuatai Purcell as the Chief Executive Officer to lead the Office of the
Regulator for the next three years.
Four other applicants applied for the top post.

At the conclusion of the due diligence
review process and interviews, the
panel of three unanimously
recommended Lematua as the most
qualified and experienced candidate
for the job.
She holds a Masters in Commerce and
Administration from the Victoria
University of Wellington New Zealand
(2003) complemented by a Post
Graduate Diploma in Information
Systems Management from the same
University.
A 1973 graduate of Samoa College,
Lematua has a wealth of working
experience in the Information
Communication and Technology
industry both in Samoa and abroad.
For six years (2003-2009) she served as the National ICT Sector Committee Secretary and Assistant CEO
with the Ministry of Communication, Information and Technology.
And for the last 11 years, Lematua has worked in top management level posts internationally which
includes:
 (2009-2016); Head of Division/Project Manager-International Telecommunication Organization,
ITU Geneva Switzerland

 (2016-2018): Regional Adviser, South Pacific, Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization,
London United Kingdom
 (2018-present) Director, ICT Development-Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization,
London United Kingdom
 (2018-present) Acting Secretary General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications
Organizations, (CTO) London United Kingdom.
She is schedule to take up her new role as Samoa’s Regulator in October or late November depending
on the availability of flights for her return to Samoa.
Lematua is married to Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labor.