THE SPIN-OFFS
By: Nanai Taofiga Laveitiga Tuiletufuga
Statements by Tautua Samoa’s Political Party belittling the benefits of Government’s infrastructural investments which includes the Faleolo International Airport have been greeted cheerfully by the ruling HRPP’s Party Leader and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
“Coming from an educator and a Professor of Economics, is mind boggling to say the least,” responded Tuilaepa to Tautua Samoa’s Party Leader, Luagalau Dr. Afualo Salele’s statements.
“It shows that he does not understand the meaning of spin-offs or maybe he is refusing to acknowledge and appreciate the Government’s labour of love that the country is reaping the benefits due to these infrastructural investments,” he added.
“First, to claim that the Faleolo International Airport is doomed to fail based on a study by Japan is questionable especially when grant funding for the airport is provided by China and not Japan,” said Tuilaepa.
On that same note, the Prime Minister extended a public acknowledgement and appreciation to Japan’s generosity through its funding programs for the Education Sector not to mention the new Vaisigano Bridge and world class ferries for inter-island transportation. “That is just the tip of the iceberg on the many development projects funded by Japan,” he reiterated.
However he is not receptive in noting that the spin-offs from the Government’s genuine initiatives including Faleolo International Airport is not “as clear as day” to Professor Luagalau.
“Tourism (with the COVID-19 impact aside) remains the backbone of our economy and through this sector it has benefitted our people greatly and the airport’s facelift is credited as one of the quantum leap by Government to sustain our tourism revenues.
And for Afualo’s information tourism revenue has been climbing steadily over the years to inject over half a billion tala a year ($500 plus million tala) annually into our local economy,” continued the Prime Minister.
The funds are spread across the board from our transport sector to our accommodation, handicrafts and a lot more, he continued.
“So I wonder how the Professor came to the conclusion that the HRPP’s Government’s record of development projects is marred by poorly planned investments.”
Overall, the Prime Minister says that he also appreciates the valuable role or a solid and legitimate Opposition because that it reaffirms that “democracy is very much alive in Samoa.”
Elaborated Tuilaepa:
“Government from time to time after due diligence have taken the advice from the Opposition benches.
“That is politics and democracy at its best.
“They give us good advice and we use it. That way we will always be a good Government and they will always be a valid Opposition.
“The media too has a role to play in that democracy.
“They are a forum to provide a voice for the public.
“Many times I get angry with what’s on the media especially when the reports are biased and twisted to suit their needs but I also see the benefit of constructive, factual and balanced criticisms.
“So at the end of the day, government takes those views and everything else in its stride.”
