22 Dec 2004

Samoa opposition questions health sector probes

2:20 pm on 22 December 2004

The deputy leader of the opposition Samoa Democratic United Party says public service investigations into high level corruption make no sense.

This follows the CEO for Health, Lolofie Taulealeausumai Dr Eti Enosa, being no longer liable for 45 charges against him for allegedly breaching the Public Service Act given his contract expired.

Asiata Dr Saleimoa Vaai says according to newspaper reports, Lolofie signed two contracts, one as the director of health - which has now expired, and the second as the CEO, which has a few more years to run.

He says the public service investigation into the misuse of funds has been unclear.

"So the PSC hasn't replied to that. All the PSC has done is that people have been looking at the smaller picture, they should be looking at the bigger picture. Now what the bigger picture is, they're talking about good governance, accountability and transparency ... and all very confusing."

Asiata Dr Saleimoa Vaai says the implications of this result for other investigations into public service fraud, are not good.