I was born on the day Samoa commemorated the Treaty of Berlin. The doctor who delivered me suggested to my parents that I be named Perelini, the Samoan translation of Berlin.
Growing up, I always wondered about my name, since no one else in the family shared it. Learning about the Treaty led me to want to understand Samoa’s history and economy. The Treaty had divided Samoa between Germany (Western Samoa) and the United States (American Samoa). That triggered my interest in how a nation like ours could be shaped by foreign powers.
When I reached high school, I chose to study economics for my national exams. I was curious about how economies work and how people contribute to growth. My late father worked for JICA throughout his career, and his experience sparked my interest in development and foreign aid.
With support from mentors in both education and work, I pursued economics. But one question still stays with me:
Why is Samoa, with its land, ocean resources, and culture, still considered a developing country?
After earning my degree in Fiji, I started work at the Ministry of Finance. I gained insight into how budgets are allocated and how public funds are managed. I saw how legislation and procedures ensure accountability.
Later, I joined the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, managing the Private Sector Support Facility. This brought me closer to the business community and village-based projects. Contrary to claims about the $1 Million Tala Project being the first of its kind, previous governments had already been helping farmers and small businesses with grants through development partners. These included sectors like agriculture, tourism, fisheries, and manufacturing.
We visited villages, inspected sites, and followed up with monitoring. Goods were distributed through verified vendors and tracked to ensure they were used for their intended purpose. Reports were submitted to development partners and the Ministry of Finance to maintain transparency and accountability.
When the $1 Million Project came, I asked myself how we would measure its actual impact. How do we know if the tools were used for economic development, or were they just another handout?
I then moved to the Office of the Regulator during the liberalisation of the electricity sector. The reform allowed private investment in renewable generation and supported the national goal of 100 percent renewable energy. The Regulator was also responsible for setting electricity tariffs under the law.
That changed when the new government introduced a policy to reduce tariffs by 20 percent. This decision overrode existing legislation and removed the Regulator’s role. In my position as a supervisory advisor, I submitted reports on the long-term risks. I may have been seen as inexperienced in the Cabinet room, but just a few years later, we now face frequent power outages and rationing.
The power utility is struggling financially. Infrastructure is aging, and the generation system is under pressure. This is an example of a policy that ignored technical advice and sidelined the law.
I have worked under two different administrations. The key difference lies in how decisions are made, and whether public servants are allowed to do their jobs.
Now that I am continuing my studies in Australia, I can see how different life is. Yes, the minimum wage is AUD $24.95, but costs are high. Rent, power, transport, and healthcare all add up. People wake up early and work long hours just to keep up.
Samoa has its own challenges, but we also enjoy things many people here do not. The land, the breeze, the sense of community.
As we approach the next election, I hope every eligible Samoan voter asks themselves:
What kind of future do I want in the next five years?
What kind of leaders will help us get there?
We must vote wisely. Not based on pressure from family overseas or social media noise. I have seen people online mock hardworking public servants. I have seen disrespect towards the Prime Minister and even the Head of State, all because their preferred leader was removed.
What kind of example does this set for our youth?
I have seen political arguments break families apart. A father and son fighting over politics should not be our future.
As a parent, I want a better education system, fair pay for teachers, improved school resources, and better hospitals. I remember being discharged early from the maternity ward because there was no available bed. Why can’t we compensate medical staff for overtime?
Many of them could easily leave for better pay overseas, but they stay out of love for their people.
Savai‘i deserves better transport access too. Why not introduce a student ferry pass to help with costs?
Climate change is another major issue. We need to protect our environment and invest in solutions that make our villages more resilient.
This is our time to act. To shape the future we want for our beautiful Samoa.
#MakeYourVoteCount
#PalotaMalePoto
About the Author
Perelini Lameko-Masoe is a Samoan economist currently pursuing her Master of Business at Monash University in Australia. She has over 10 years of experience in the Samoa Public Service, including roles at the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, and the Office of the Regulator. She is also the current Coordinator for the Office of the Pacific Energy Regulators Alliance (OPERA).
