Samoa's Prime Minister has announced 20 new Associate Ministers to fill roles previously occupied by under-secretaries.
The new appointments include two former government ministers.
Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia reports from Apia.
"The former Minister of Tourism and Trade, Hans Joachim Keil, is the Associate Minister for the Ministry of Trade Commerce and Industry and Labour. He is working under the supervision of the Deputy Prime Minister, and former Finance minister, Misa Telefoni. The former Minister of Telecommunications and Broadcasting, Palusalue Fa'apo II, is now the Associate minister for the ministry of Finance, Central Bank and Housing Corporation. He is under the supervision of the new Minister of Finance, Niko Lee Hang. Prime Minister Tuila'epa Lupesoliai Sa'ilele Malielegaoi says the change has been made after heavy criticism of under-secretaries during last month's election campaigning. Meanwhile, an amendment to officially recognise the new change is expected to be tabled in parliament on May 30th."
