The Cabinet, in its meeting on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, has confirmed the appointment of Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu as the new General Manager of the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA) for a three-year term. This position was previously held by Silimana’i Ueta Solomona, who has resigned due to new appointments.
Tumanuvao is an alumnus of the Gautavai Primary School in Savai’i and continued his education at Samoa College, graduating in 1998. He then entered the Foundation Year at the National University of Samoa (NUS Foundation). Following this, he served a two-year missionary stint for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He pursued further education at the Fiji School of Medicine, graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor of Pharmacy. Tumanuvao began his public service at the Ministry of Health in 2009. In 2013, he transitioned to the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA), where he has been working as the Manager for Security Services, overseeing a staff of over 100.
As the Manager, Tumanuvao played a pivotal role in implementing health safety regulations at the airport and developed the health safety manual during the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel that interviewed the five applicants noted his diverse experiences and educational background in pharmacy and business administration (MBA), emphasising that his expertise, although in a different field, includes health security and public health emergencies. This background is seen as valuable for establishing the Faleolo International Airport as a safe and secure point of entry for travelers to and from Samoa.
In addition to his professional achievements, Tumanuvao is a man of faith and is deeply committed to his family. He is married and a proud father of four children. His dedication to both his career and family life exemplifies his strong character and values.
The appointment is set for a duration of three years.
