15 Nov 2010

Group ordered out after tsunami comments

7:46 pm on 15 November 2010

An umbrella group for non-governmental organizations in Samoa has been ordered by the prime minister to vacate government buildings, following comments by its chief executive on a New Zealand current affairs programme.

Roina Vavatau, head of the group known as SUNGO, says the threat followed her comments on the spending of tsunami aid funds.

Reports on the use of aid money on TV3's Campbell Live have angered Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, who says they were ill-informed.

The board of SUNGO met the organisation's chief executive and president at the weekend to discuss the concerns raised by the prime minister and his orders to vacate the land by the end of this month.