(GOVT. PRESS SECRETARIAT); Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa announces key Cabinet
decisions on issues ranging from health, private sector, Samoa Airways and COVID19
Vaccination Campaign during a Press Conference Wednesday 11 th August 2021. The following is
the English transcript of the announcement by the Prime Minister.)
Just briefly, it now looks like a regular occurrence at the conclusion of Cabinet on Wednesdays
that I take this opportunity with the media to make brief summaries of highlights from the
Cabinet meetings. This is the third week of the new administration.
The first week was taken by budgetary issues, the second week was an opportunity for
Ministers to meet and orientate themselves to their Ministries and other areas of
responsibilities. Meanwhile, the work of Cabinet continues through its regular meetings that
we have on Wednesdays or when necessary to call special meetings.
This is our third week, and just to give some highlights of today’s meeting.
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND LABOUR & PRIVATE SECTOR
We were discussing a particular proposal from MCIL, (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and
Labour) on grants given to Private Sector organizations.
It is very important for our new government that there is this facility by which the government
budget can be used to support private sector organizations and initiatives.
It is a way of work that we would like to see not only through MCIL but all other Ministries that
have contact points with Private Sector or our communities. This is a good way in which the
government budget can be utilized in such a way to raise the performance of various other
sectors other than the private sector.

So we were very pleased to not only consider the paper from the Ministry but also to have a
broader discussion around how the budget can support the private and non-government
sectors.
MALOLOLELEI WATER SUPPLY
There were two major projects put through from the Tenders Board, this is for the Malololelei
area for the water supplies, this is a particular area that is not only being settled for residents
but also for developments and through the development process, it is necessitating the
provision of good water supply and two contracts have been proposed from the Tenders Board
and approved by Cabinet today.
PUBLIC MARKETS
We had two significant discussions on the Cabinet table and this had to do with market
developments and local produce markets.
The Cabinet had been informed from various sources on the existing markets, how they are
performing, and also for proposed new markets, especially here in the Apia Urban Area.
The Public will note that the market in Savalalo has been disestablished and there was
proposals for a new market development in Sogi.
Meanwhile, there’s an interim provision made for the people who were in the Savalalo market.
However, Cabinet is taking this opportunity to review the market, the situation, the history of
our markets, but more especially which entity within government are responsible for markets
because at the moment we have two active government agencies overseeing and managing our
markets and that is the Accident Compensation and the Samoa Land Corporation. So the new
administration would like to have a fuller understanding of where the proposals are, but more
to the point that there is a clear policy definition of where we want markets, where we need
markets and what level of investment the government should be making in this particular
sector.
SAMOA AIRWAYS
We had a significant discussion on Samoa Airways. I think this is the second week that Cabinet
has received information, not only from the Samoa Airways company, but also of course from
the various government agencies who are active in this undertaking. Our Samoa Airways
airplane is currently in Brisbane Australia.
It is undertaking technical checks.
This is a requirement of course for validation of registration and also to ascertain the
worthiness of the aircraft.
We are not quite sure at this point how soon those tests and processes will take place,
meanwhile, Cabinet is taking the opportunity to once again reach a clearer understanding of
the progress of the Samoa Airways project from its inception to where it is now, and also what
future implications there are for government, especially government liabilities or
responsibilities in terms of the funding arrangements that have been made.
No firm decisions have been made.
Essentially, it’s a process that was started by the former government is in play, although there
are still issues that have to be resolved and as those issues are resolved or other matters come

to light then we will determine where we are exactly with Samoa Airways but the airplane is
not here, it is in Brisbane Australia.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH, OVERSEAS MEDICAL REFERRAL, etc…
I think another notable thing is that the medical scheme that’s funded by our own government
and also the assistance from New Zealand, we have noted that the scheme is once again in
play.
There was a time through the Proclamations for COVID and the bans on travel that we had
stopped these schemes of taking our patients to New Zealand.
They have now restarted and we are very happy that this has restarted to assist with the health
needs of our people.
I do want to note though that we have continuing problems with the Health Ministry.
At the moment our CT scan doesn’t work. We are currently informed that we are looking for
parts and also looking for a new CT scan.
But I’m just wanting to make mention of this in light of the people being sent to New Zealand
for treatment.
When we have the facility to help doctors here make diagnosis like the CT scan, it may
determine that they can be treated here, but the current situation is such that we will have to
send patients to have those scans done in New Zealand, even before considering what
treatment they may need. So it’s very important and we make this point to the Ministry of
Health as I know we have done in the past as well, that the Ministry really does need to ensure
the ready supply and the maintenance of machinery and equipment to help our medical
personnel undertake their work.
But we are very pleased that this scheme has restarted for the sake of our people.
NAFANUA PATROL BOAT
No doubt you will have all seen that unfortunate incident with our Nafanua Patrol boat.
We have received reports today on the condition of the ship. Assistance has been requested
for its removal from where it is now and possible options of what needs to be done to repair
the Nafanua.
Nafanua of course plays a very vital role for the security of our sea boundaries, the safety
service that they provide, and also playing our part with our region in other activities to keep
our maritime boundaries well policed.
Of course we all know and are very thankful that this is the second Nafanua gifted from the
Australian Government and I just wanted to again acknowledge the Australian Government for
this very important assistance that they provide to Samoa.
COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
Lastly, I think of note and very important is the step undertaken by our Ministry of Health to
begin to roll out the Door to Door vaccination program for COVID-19.
When we started the vaccinations program, this program was rolled out in different areas of
the country, but now the Ministry has determined and with full support from Cabinet, that our
response to COVID-19 and ensuring the highest possible rate of vaccination and protection for
our country and the Door to Door practice is one that we know very well from our experience

with the Measles and how impactful that was in our response to the Measles Epidemic, and I
want to take this opportunity to encourage our people to take up this opportunity that has
been rolled out and have made it easier for population to receive and access COVID injections
that we do take up this new program that has been introduced.