As Government work resumes for the new year 2026, a special meeting was convened by the Prime Minister together with the Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, the Deputy Speaker and Associate Ministers, to discuss matters that should be prioritised by Government this year, to pursue the work plans that have been set, and to encourage unity in sharing the workload so that Samoa’s course is guided towards success and not misfortune.
In his address, the Prime Minister, the Honourable La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polāta’ivao Fosi Schmidt, thanked the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, Cabinet Ministers and Associate Ministers for the work they have carried out and led, along with all Government staff, for their service in delivering outcomes to the wider public who look to our efforts.
La’aulialemalietoa said Samoa’s wellbeing and internal stability depend on whether Samoa’s leaders remain alert and carefully consider the best pathways for the whole country.
The Prime Minister also urged Ministers and Associate Ministers to serve with urgency and to move quickly on the plans already laid out for the benefit of the country that is waiting for results.
The major issues the Prime Minister stressed, calling for clear planning and prompt action, included:
- Health services, particularly areas needing repair and improvement;
- Protecting Samoa’s security and stability, especially at international borders, through the work of Customs, Samoa Immigration, Aviation, Ports, Quarantine, and the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections;
- Stamping out and stopping the spread of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine (“ice”) and marijuana, and the possession of prohibited firearms in the country;
- Reviewing the decline in students’ exam results, weaknesses in literacy and numeracy, and teacher shortages, and identifying ways to resolve these serious problems quickly;
- The country’s economic wellbeing relying on the continued work of the Ministry for Revenue through the honest collection of taxes from businesses across Samoa;
- Improving the service of the Judiciary and its Head Office at Mulinu’u;
- Driving improvements in sport, including the restoration of Apia Park;
- Properly organising the key work programmes and responsibilities of the Ministry of Lands and Survey;
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries taking the lead in revitalising agriculture and livestock development, and protecting the marine environment, to support the Government’s school-feeding programme for students nationwide;
- Working diligently to manage and monitor the “Million Project”;
- The Ministry of Finance and Samoa Airways clearly setting out the public contribution for preparations to acquire two larger aircraft for Samoa, planned for the end of this year;
- Strengthening tourism development in the country;
- Pushing forward major infrastructure work, including water, electricity, and inter-island transport between Upolu and Savai’i;
- Completing the work on the new Savalalo Market before its opening;
- Addressing the poor state of modern high-speed telecommunications connectivity, which needs to be restructured so Government can take the lead;
- Completing the Parliament Complex (the Head Office of the Legislative Assembly), which supports national leaders when Parliament sits, along with the work of Government staff who serve Members of Parliament.
On these major matters, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, the Deputy Speaker and Associate Ministers shared views in sequence, to ensure improvements are lifted to a firm and effective standard before the end of this year’s work.
The Prime Minister’s central message was a continued reminder to all Government leaders of the importance of humble service, working side by side, and standing together, to deliver good work for the benefit of the public.
This meeting was preceded by a church service led by the Prime Minister, seeking God’s Holy Spirit to be with Samoa’s leaders in their leadership for the new year that has begun.
The meeting was held in the Cabinet Meeting Room at Government Headquarters, FMFM II, at Eleele Fou.
Note: This article, written in Samoan by Savali Newspaper reporter Pesetā Tusiga Taofiga, was originally published on the Savali Newspaper Facebook page and is republished here with permission.
