PM, OLO & CHINESE FISHERMEN
By Nanai Taofiga Laveitiga Tuiletufuga
Cabinet’s decision, (FK) authorizing the return of four Chinese fishermen to enter Samoa via sea in August did not breach the COVID19 State of Emergency Orders, clarified Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi.
The issue, added the Prime Minister is in the limelight for all the wrong reasons and the motive is for political gains by the instigator of these rumors, former MP and FAST political party’s Election Candidate Olo Fiti Vaai to woo voters.
The Chinese fishermen did not travel from China to Samoa on the fishing vessel as deliberately claimed by Olo, continued Tuilaepa. The four had boarded the fishing vessel from Samoa during a regular change of crew earlier in the year. And when their time at sea expired as required by international laws, they had to be replaced.
The Prime Minister noted that because of strict international border security regulations in place, finding Chinese replacements was impossible because of the flight restrictions imposed by Samoa. Also taking into consideration that the fishing vessel’s only port of call since they left Samoa is the Matautu Wharf, Cabinet approved a request from the Huanan Fishery, a company licensed in Samoa for Samoan fishermen to replace the Chinese nationals. The request is included in the FK which also authorized a special chartered flight by Air New Zealand to return 80 of the company’s Chinese staff to return home.
That request was granted by Cabinet on August 4th 2020.
But there were conditions in place and included in the standing Border Security regulations that all incoming vessels must submit their shipping logs together with final clearance from Satellite links to confirm their fishing locations and port of calls while out at sea before granted entry into Samoa.
Also prior to being released, all crew members must pass health checks mandated by local health and fisheries officials.
The Prime Minister said that the fishing vessels log confirmed that the boat and crew had no contact with any vessels for refueling or other purposes while out at sea. Secondly, the fishing vessel had not made any port of call to any country since they left Samoa eliminating any physical contact.
Satellite links provided by the Fisheries Division also confirmed that the vessel did not port or dock when they left Samoa.
And when the vessel arrived all the required medical checks were conducted clearing not just the four but all of the crew members.
“Satisfied with the results, they four fishermen were released,” reiterated Tuilaepa. “For Olo to claim that the Chinese fishermen is a breach of the SOE orders is a total fabrication of the truth but I’m not in the least surprised because this is what he does best, telling fables and fictitious tales to win public pity for his FAST political party.”
Tuilaepa is also curious why it took the former Independent MP more than 2 months before going public when normally Olo is the first to hit the press when it comes to issues to defame Government.
“Samoa remains COVID19 free to date and one wonders why now? Why has he waited this long? Is he running out of steam or scheme to suit his political agenda,” added Tuilaepa.
He noted that Olo also failed to acknowledge the sustainable income source for the families of the four Samoans replacements.
“Again no surprise there,” said Tuilaepa reassuring the country that Cabinet in its decision making capacity is making all the hard calls to ensure that the lives of local residents will not be comprised by the COVID19 virus.
