The former Commissioner of the Ministry of Customs and Revenue, Matafeo Avalisa Viali-Fautuali’i has a number of questions pertaining to the Public Service Commission investigation into the former ACEO Alvin Onesemo, in what she claims has dragged her “professional reputation” into the mud.
Matafeo’s concerns are penned in a six-page letter to Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa dated 6 April 2022 which was obtained by Radio Polynesia.
The PSC’s investigation against Onesemo was in relation to the releasing of a container to his cousin member, now Cabinet Minister Toelupe Pou Onesemo without proper paperwork.
In turn, the former ACEO was found guilty on two of four charges of misconduct and he was fined by Cabinet.
The PSC 30 page full investigation report prepared by PSC Assistant CEO Maiavatele Timothy Fesili into Onesemo highlighted concerns over the handling of the MCR of their initial investigation into Onesemo, saying it was politically motivated.
The PSC claims Matafeo referred this matter to the Police before the PSC could complete its investigation and it goes against standard procedure whereas PSC handles the disciplinary actions including investigations into allegations of wrongdoing.
Matafeo firstly asked the Prime Minister for a copy of the full PSC investigation report as her request was denied by the PSC Chair and Deputy Prime Minister pointing to Fiame as the only authority that can approve to release of the full PSC report.
She also requested the opportunity to respond to the matters that accuse her at the time she was Commissioner of MCR.
Matafeo’s contract ended with MCR and the position had since been advertised and she’s concerned the “serious and damaging allegations in the PSC Report have a high chance of jeopardising [her] chances to be interviewed and/or to be selected as a top applicant.”
According to Matafeo, she was never given the opportunity to comment nor be interviewed on the matters specific to the MCR during the investigation. However, she must respond to matters and these ill-informed findings outlined in the report.
“Remaining silent only because I am no longer holding the position of CEO does not make the Report findings justified.
“In addition, the ill-informed findings only serve the purpose of tarnishing the good name of the Ministry of Customs and Revenue with staff who have worked extremely hard over the years to serve our country, with a proud record in the past six years, of delivering and exceeding results as expected and forecasted for each financial year to date.
“I am also mindful that this is to respond to the public interest and comments against the Ministry and myself as the former CEO. Further, these responses will also benefit the relevant Interview Panel members given I am currently an applicant for the Ministry’s CEO post that was closed on the 19th of November 2021.
“Understandably, my responses rely on official records and official documents. Without those, I am at a disadvantage as I am officially out of the CEO position.
“If your Honorable accepts my humble request [..] I would be very happy to provide a more detailed response complete with the supporting official records with the Ministry.”
Matafeo also pointed out the PSC report published by the media caught her “off-guard and to say the least, was shocked at the biased one-sided views full of blatant allegations of political interference, insinuations of collusion and misrepresentation of the MCR based on the sole hearsay [..] with little to no solid evidence collected by the PSC Investigating Officer Maiavatele.”
Radio Polynesia reached out to Lauano for comments pertaining to this matter but there has been no response as of press time.
In addition, Matafeo stated the investigation that follows the law is the only way to arrive at a fully well-informed Report and Recommendations.
“It is my plea that a “proper Investigation’ be carried out for the integrity of the Ministry, given its prominent role in our country as the government’s main revenue collector, border security and trade facilitator.
“Needless to say, it is very important to uphold the integrity of the Ministry in the eyes of Samoans and Samoa’s trading and donor partners so as to encourage mutual trust in the Ministry and its operations.
To allow anyone to tarnish its image through insinuations and misconceptions only waters the seeds of corrupted practices where no one suffers but our own people.”
She said the result of the investigation by Maiavatele developed and finalized the Report with conclusions and findings which fail to be informed by the relevant material.
“The result is an ill-informed and ill-advised Report and Findings. “I humbly and respectfully conclude that the PSC Report with its recommendations lacks factual, complete and correct evidence, making it a questionable and an unreliable report.”
She also pointed out the MCR service is not determined by political parties or political interests but always to serve according to their sacred oath as Public Servants to serve diligently and responsibly to the Government of the day.
“The intention of this letter is not to fight against the Cabinet’s decision but to be given a fair treatment from these wrong allegations, never to unjustly speak ill of anyone, seek sympathy, display anger nor seek favouritism treatment but your kind consideration of the facts of this case as to clear the Ministry’s record and also my name as the former CEO of MCR..”
Copied on the letter were Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, Cabinet Ministers, Chairperson of Public Service Commission, Lauano Vaosa Epa, Auditor and Controller Fuimaono Camillo Afele; Ombudsman Luamanuvao Katalaina Sapolu and Acting CEO, Ministry of Customs and Revenue.
