Samoa: Minister rewarded after resignation

Samoa’s former minister of finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, has reportedly been appointed by the prime minister as the new Associate Minister for Natural Resources and Environment.

Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi is quoted as saying Faumuina will be of great assistance to the Environment Minister because he has experience and knowledge as a former minister of the same ministry.

Faumuina resigned as Minister of Finance on April 16 this year under much pressure following allegations of corruption made against him in Controller and Chief Auditor, Fuimaono Afele Camillo’s report for 2009-2010.

When he resigned during an address in Parliament, he broke down in tears, saying: “Only God knows. I’m not mad at anyone.”

He told the house as tears were flowing freely from his cheeks: “I believe God allows these things to test the faith of people who trust in Him.”

When Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, accepted Faumuina’s resignation he acknowledged Faumuina’s contribution to the development of the country saying 14 years of service to parliament is not a short period of time.

He also praised Faumuina’s bravery in implementing a number of projects that many politicians were scared of.

Among them, he said, was the transformation of a ministry previously known as a “Ministry of Waste”, to what is known today as a “well run” Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.

And then addressing Faumuina, Tuilaepa told him: “Don’t forget that God has blessed you with many talents.”

“The end of your service in this area will mean your availability to serve in another area.”

Tuilaepa also announced that a new Minister of Finance would be sworn in.

“It will not be an easy decision,” he said. “Everyone in this party is a professor.”

As it turned out, it was Tuilaepa who appointed himself the new minister of finance.

On the night he resigned however, Faumuina, for the first time broke his long held silence over numerous allegations against him.

Faumuina maintained his innocence, saying he acted in the best interest of the government and the people of Samoa.