The Member of Parliament for Faleata No. 2 and former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL), Leatinuu Wayne Sooialo, said opposition and independent MPs were not surprised by the government’s request to Samoa’s commercial banks for overdraft facilities to assist District Councils to cover the remaining 30 per cent of their $1.8 million District Development funds.
Speaking on an overseas talkback programme on behalf of the Samoa Uniting Party (SUP), the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and independent members, Leatinuu said the request reflected concerns they had previously raised about government spending.
“As a member of parliament, we, SUP as well as HRPP and the independents, we’re not surprised,” he said. “Because we knew with all these plans implemented, there would be a time when problems would arise.”
His comments follow earlier reports by the Samoa Observer that Cabinet, through the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD), had approached Samoa’s four commercial banks seeking financial assistance for $300,000 overdraft facilities for districts or fono faavae.
Leatinuu said the matter raised questions about "government spending and the way public funds were being used." Although he did not specify which spending he was referring to, he said the $1.8 million District Development funds had been approved by parliament.
