The Government has confirmed that the registration plate of a Land Transport Authority vehicle assigned to the Prime Minister’s Principal Adviser was changed from a Government plate to a private plate.
The confirmation follows reports by the Samoa Observer concerning a Government-owned Toyota Hilux previously displaying the registration LTA23. The newspaper reported that the vehicle had resurfaced with private registration plate 59250 and was being used by the Prime Minister’s Principal Adviser, Apulu Lance Polu.
In an official release issued on Monday, 17 August 2026, the LTA confirmed that the vehicle remains the property of the Government of Samoa through the authority.
“We confirm that the vehicle’s registration plate has been changed to a private plate, while ownership remains with the Government of Samoa through the Land Transport Authority,” the statement said.
According to the LTA, the change was made at the direction of Prime Minister La‘aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, who is also the Minister responsible for the authority.
“This modification was carried out at the discretion of the Honourable Prime Minister, who also serves as the Minister responsible for the L.T.A.,” the statement said.
“The Prime Minister is empowered to make such adjustments whenever necessary, particularly when they are considered essential for his safety and security.”
The release confirms the central details raised by the Samoa Observer, including that the vehicle remains a publicly owned LTA asset, its Government registration was replaced with a private plate, and the change was authorised by the Prime Minister.
However, the statement does not explain how changing the registration of a vehicle assigned to the Prime Minister’s Principal Adviser provides security for the Prime Minister.
It also does not identify the legislation, regulation or Government policy that gives a minister authority to replace the official registration plate of a publicly owned vehicle with a private plate.
Other unanswered questions include whether the vehicle is available exclusively for official duties, who is authorised to drive it and whether its fuel, maintenance and other operating expenses continue to be paid from public funds.
The LTA has not alleged that the Samoa Observer’s reporting was inaccurate. Its clarification instead confirms that the plate was deliberately changed while the vehicle remained under Government ownership.
The Government has provided safety and security as its reason for the decision, but no further details about the identified security concern or the rules governing the arrangement were included in the release.
Sources: Government of Samoa official release dated 17 August 2026 and reports published by the Samoa Observer.
