30 Jun 2018

Senior Samoan bureaucrat fired amid corruption allegations

8:53 am on 30 June 2018

The assistant chief executive of the Samoa Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure has been sacked by the Public Service Commission.

Satitoa Wharf

Satitoa Wharf Photo: RNZI/ Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Samoa Observer reported Fepulea'i Mark Alesana was sacked on Monday afternoon as he tried to resign his post amid allegations of corruption in connection with a Malaysian based, Indian maritime company.

Earlier this month the commission laid six charges against Fepuleai under the Public Service Commission Act.

Fepulea'i Faleniu Mark Alesana

Fepulea'i Faleniu Mark Alesana Photo: Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure

An investigation by the commission found he failed to disclose a conflict of interest in dealings between the Ministry and the company, Ascent Navals, with which he had connections through his own shipping company Paramount Shipping.

Earlier the chief executive of the same ministry of works, Afamasaga Su'a Pou Onesemo, was supended pending a police investigation allegations of corruption levelled against him by Ascent Navals.

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