Islands Business - Samoa: Tuilaepa confident of a 2006 election win

“The slow pace of land reform has been a disappointment."

Dev Nadkarni

Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi

Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi will seek a third term in office at the next general election in early 2006. The leader has wide administrative experience and has presided over a period of large-scale reforms largely responsible for Samoa's impressive showing among the region's islands nations. In recent years, the senior leader has also had a role to play in regional affairs.

The prime minister spoke to ISLANDS BUSINESS senior editor Dev Nadkarni about his major successes, disappointments and the forthcoming election. Excerpts of the interview:

To what do you look back in satisfaction over your terms as PM?

“Infrastructure development has been an achievement. Roads, water, electricity and phones are now available to all the people of Samoa. It is corporatisation of key industries that has helped achieve this end. It was a slow process, but achieved. For instance, the framework of corporatisation of telecom was laid down in 1995-96. It was only completed in 1999, in the face of extreme objections by top officials. Tourism development has borne success. Reforms in ports, public works and banking and financial sector have also resulted in benefits to the people.”

Do you think these achievements will help HRPP win the next elections?

“We are hopeful. We've greatly expanded the reach of education, health facilities, we now have a dialysis unit, also sporting (as in rugby) and cultural activities. The revival of the art of fine mat brings revenue to many people in the informal sector. Also, we have downsized the government from 28 departments to just 14 ministries.”

You must have some disappointments as well?

“The slow pace of land reform has been a disappointment. We have been in wide consultations with the community, telecast many programmes on TV explaining the concept of 'leasing', but progress has been very slow. The other disappointment has been services. Post 9/11, our airline was affected very severely. Though it began badly in 1993-94, it had turned the corner and made profits by 2000, but 9/11 gave it a bad blow. But we now look forward to our new joint venture airline, Polynesian Blue. That fits in well with our tourism strategy.”

There is now a new party that is fighting on a platform of principles. Does this cause concern to HRPP?

“In a democratic set-up, there will be many parties and they will have their own platforms. But HRPP's achievements are for everyone to see and I think it is the basic issues concerning day-to-day living that matter to the bulk of the people. Power, water, roads, schools: all of which we have progressively provided to the entire country.”

What do you expect the outcome to be in the forthcoming elections?

“We plan to continue the work we have been doing, taking the country further on the road to progress with more reform and investments in tourism and other sectors. And we are hopeful of the support of the people in our work.”

Does a win for HRPP mean another term for you as prime minister?
“I cannot say that. It is the party's caucus that will decide on the leadership issue.”