By Lagi Keresoma
APIA, SAMOA – 06 JUNE 2022: Three out of the six allegations against the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Chief Executive Officer, Suifua Fa’amatuainu Lenata’i Suifua, have been proven.
These allegations are:
- Use of intimidation and abusive languages against the staff of STA,
- Use of STA staff to do personal work at his residence and
- Use of and possession of STA assets for personal benefits.
Suifua was also accused of making a payment of ST$10,000.00 to his acquaintance to conduct work for STA, direct awarding of contracts to his acquaintances and conflict of interest.
The allegations warranted an investigation which was led by one of STA board member with a representative of the Ministry Public Enterprises (MPE) and a representative of the Ministry of Finance (MOF).
However, MOF decided to conduct their own investigation and a report is yet to be provided to the STA Board.
The investigation team handed over their report to the STA Board on 18 March 2022 with recommendations that there was sufficient evidence to prove the 6 allegations against the CEO.
It was also recommended to seek a legal opinion from the Attorney General’s Office.
On 18 April 2022, the Attorney General wrote to the STA Board confirming sufficient evidence to prove 3 allegations and a warning is warranted.
The Attorney General advised that:
- There is a technical issue that could challenge the legality of the investigation,
- That there is sufficient evidence to prove three (3) out of the six (6) allegations. These three (3) allegations fall within the parameters of serious misconduct as provided by clause 15.6 and 15.7 of the contract,
- That, if not for the legal issues with the establishment of the investigation, it would have been open to the Board to consider termination under the contract,
- Given the legal issues with the establishment of the investigation, a warning would be advisable rather than termination.
The Attorney General also recommended giving a copy of the investigation report to Suifua, for the Board to consider the 3 allegations which warrants a warning, and for Suifua to comment on the report within a specified time.
“The Attorney General also said with the investigation now completed, Suifua can resume work but expect the Board’s final decision to be made in due course.” On 1 June 2022, the STA Board resolved that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a dismissal of the CEO.
Conflict of interest
Although conflict of interest was not included in the Attorney General’s view, the investigation report noted several discrepancies with the process with which the Pyro International contract was dealt with.
Cabinet approved ST$207,994.81 for the 2022 New Year’s Fireworks based on an invoice /quote provided by Pyro International from New Zealand. Included in the Pyro invoice was a charge of NZ$8000 for quarantine in Samoa.
The four member team from Pyro International were quarantined at the CEO house at Vaivase.
“It is not clear from the invoice and receipts for quarantine in Samoa that it was paid to the CEO for the use of his house,” says the report.
The use of the CEO’s house as a quarantine site is noted as a conflict of interest as he is a member of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
There was also a $3640.53 paid to Taumeasina Resort where the Pyro International team stayed. Taumeasina Resort was one of the sponsors of the show and having the team stay at the resort should be part of the sponsorship.
The CEO is clear to resume work. His contract ends this month.
