APIA, SAMOA — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Enterprises, Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, has urged newly appointed directors of Samoa’s public bodies to lead with integrity, accountability and a clear commitment to the country’s wider development.
The Deputy Prime Minister delivered the message during an induction programme for new public enterprise directors at the Ministry for Public Enterprises Conference Room at the NPF Plaza in Apia on Friday, 10 July 2026.
She congratulated the directors on their appointments and thanked them for accepting the responsibility of serving the Government and the people of Samoa.
Hon. Mulipola said the Government had placed considerable trust in the newly appointed directors, whose decisions would help determine the performance of organisations responsible for providing essential services to the public.
She said the work of public enterprises must align with the Government’s vision under the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2026/27–2030/31.
That vision seeks to build a Samoa grounded in God and culture, with a stable and secure economy capable of improving the wellbeing of all citizens.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that public enterprises play a significant role in national development, delivering services that directly affect the wellbeing of families, communities and businesses.
Directors were reminded that they are responsible for ensuring their organisations meet their statutory objectives while complying with legislation and Government policies.
Good governance, equal opportunities and effective partnerships were identified as key principles that should guide the work of public enterprise boards.
“O se Samoa e maua’a lona Faavae i le Atua ma lana Aganu’u, e mafai ona ausia se taulaga mausali, saogalemu ma manuia ona tagatanuu uma.”
Hon. Mulipola said Samoa’s ability to maintain sustainable development and strengthen its economy would depend partly on the quality of leadership and oversight provided by directors.
She warned that when development projects are poorly coordinated or their outcomes are not properly monitored, the consequences are ultimately carried by the public.
“The wellbeing of our country and the sustainability of our development are in your hands,” she told the directors.
The Minister also addressed directors serving on boards of commercial public enterprises, stressing the importance of sound financial performance.
She said profitable public enterprises should meet their dividend obligations to the Government, as these funds could be used to support other national development projects.
The long-term objective, she said, was for Samoa to become increasingly capable of financing its own development through strong policies, effective management and financially sustainable public bodies.
Public enterprises contribute across all five major priorities under Samoa’s national development strategy, including health, education, economic stability, rural and community development, environmental protection and the responsible management of Government assets.
Hon. Mulipola said directors must therefore ensure that the services and activities of their respective organisations remain closely connected to the Government’s development priorities.
She acknowledged that board responsibilities would not always be easy, as each public body operates under different legislation and may also work alongside line ministers and other government sectors.
The induction programme was organised to provide directors with a clearer understanding of their duties under the Public Bodies Act 2001 and the policies governing the operation of public enterprise boards.
The Deputy Prime Minister called on directors to make decisions based on fairness, good governance and compliance with the law.
She also reminded them that public enterprises were established to provide better services and support the Government in funding major development initiatives.
Hon. Mulipola concluded by encouraging the directors to use their knowledge and experience to support chief executives and management teams in delivering stronger results and services that meet the expectations of the Samoan people.
This article is based on the keynote address delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Enterprises, Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, at the induction programme for new public enterprise directors on 10 July 2026.
