31 Oct 2007

Samoa Met Office endorses prayer week ahead of cyclone season

3:51 pm on 31 October 2007

Samoa's Meteorological Office says prayer and fasting should go some way to averting any major cyclone or natural disaster this season.

The prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said Samoa had to have a national week of prayer and fasting on the eve of the cyclone season.

Tuilaepa said any government CEO's who neglected to take part did not deserve their jobs and were acting against the government.

The Met Office's principal scientific officer, Sala Fagato Tuiafiso, says Cyclones Ofa and Val nearly 20 years ago were two of Samoa's most devastating cyclones.

He says the week-long fasting and prayer has been in place for years.

"Samoa is a Christian country and we believe that the prayer will have to minimise or divert any disaster reaching Samoa. In nature anything can happen. Our belief from what the government is trying to advertise, is that you know praying to God will help spare Samoa from any major disaster."

Met Officer Sala Fagato Tuiafiso.

Samoa's cyclone season lasts from November the 1st until March the 31st.