Samoa's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has lifted a ban imposed against a sand mining business reportedly owned by the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
The ministry has finally issued a permit for the business that is currently being run by the minister's wife.
According to the ministry's chief executive officer, Taule'ale'ausumai La'avasa Malua, it had been illegally operating before, without a permit.
The CEO told a local newspaper the minister's sand mining company was fined for the unlawful operation prior, and had been asked to apply for a permit
This happened before the minister had won in one of the two parliamentary seats for Safata constituency in last year's general election.
