HRPP leader Hon. Tuilaepa Aiono Dr Sailele Malielegaoi says reports that the Government is seeking overdraft facilities from commercial banks to fund the Fono Faavae are a worrying sign for Samoa’s financial position.
Speaking during a live broadcast on the HRPP Facebook page, Tuilaepa said such a move was unprecedented during his time in government and suggested it pointed to a shortage of funds.
“This is a concern,” he said. “During our time in government, something like this never happened. If the Government is seeking an overdraft from commercial banks, it is a sign there is no money.”
A report by the Samoa Observer said the Government is seeking commercial bank support for $300,000 overdraft facilities for each district council, amounting to $15.3 million nationwide, while councils await the release of the remaining 30 per cent of their Fono Faavae funding.
Tuilaepa also criticised Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, saying the Government had made too many promises that it was now struggling to deliver.
“He has made too many promises that he cannot fulfil,” Tuilaepa said.
The former prime minister compared the situation to the economic difficulties Samoa experienced during the administration of former Prime Minister Tupua Tamasese.
He recalled a time when government finances were under severe pressure and businesses and banks refused to accept government cheques because many were being returned unpaid.
“Most government cheques got rejected,” he said. “People would turn up to work, clock in and then sit around because there was no money to pay them.”
Tuilaepa also reflected on shortages experienced during that period, including restrictions on cigarette sales.
He shared a story of a man standing in a queue who lit a cigarette, prompting others nearby to ask for a puff.
“One person took a puff, then another and another until there was only a small piece of the cigarette left,” he said, describing the hardships people endured at the time.
Tuilaepa said Samoa had come a long way since those difficult years.
“Back then we were eating chicken carcasses,” he said. “Fast forward to 2026 and now we’re eating mulimoa.”
He warned that the country could be heading down a dangerous path if government spending was not brought under control.
“If the Government is now borrowing from commercial banks just to fund its programmes, then the people should be asking serious questions about where the money has gone,” Tuilaepa said.
“We’ve seen this movie before. When governments spend beyond their means, it is ordinary people who end up paying the price. The warning signs are there and the Government should not pretend otherwise.”
When asked about the reported use of around $5 million for Independence celebrations, Tuilaepa said it was a waste of taxpayers’ money.
He also criticised the use of public funds linked to the Fono Faavae, saying it was wrong for such money to be used to fund ta’alolo events, particularly when the buildings have not even been completed.
Tuilaepa further questioned the practice of asking ministries and government offices to purchase corporate tables for the FAST weekend function, saying this should never have been allowed.
“All of these things add up,” he said. “When you start mixing government money with political events and then ask the same ministries to pay for tables, it should never happen.”
The Government has not publicly responded to the claims.
