10 Sep 2012

Samoa village mayor terminated by government for second time

1:44 pm on 10 September 2012

The Samoa government has terminated the appointment of Magiagi village mayor Tuiono Keni for a second time.

The decision relates to the standoff between the village council and the government over the installation of cash power meters.

Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, had earlier accepted the village's demand for their mayor to be reinstated after he was sacked.

But this time the reason for the termination has been revealed in a letter to the sacked mayor.

Tuiono says the government is unhappy he does not support the installation of cash power meters.

Meanwhile, Tuiono says a meter reading exercise undertaken by the power company last week has been completed.

But he says the village remains opposed to the installation of cash power meters.