Samoa’s Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II has issued the warrant of election pursuant to section 84(2) b of the Electoral Act 2019, confirming Lautimuia Uelese Vaai as Member of Parliament for the Electoral Constituency of Vaimauga#3.
The warrant issued yesterday became effective immediately. As reported earlier, Lautimuia told Radio Polynesia that better education, employment opportunities, and infrastructural projects to assist low-lying areas of Vaimauga #3 are on the list of priorities for Lautimuia Uelese Vaai who won the Vaimauga #3 seat with 1,531 votes following the by-election last Friday.
Samau Solitamalii Timani garnered 1,082 votes while Feagaimaalii Bruce Toomalatai received 106 votes.
Lautimuia told Radio Polynesia that promoting employment opportunities, business opportunities, improved education systems and seeking safer infrastructure, especially in flood-affected low-lying areas of Vaimauga #3.
Lautimuia a member of the FAST party, served in various government agencies and recently was Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Shipping Services.
Regarding employment statistics in the Country, back in the September 2022 quarter decreased by 0.2% on a year-on-year basis, making it the twelfth consecutive quarter of negative growth since December 2019.
This is outlined in the Samoa Bureau of Statistics released this past week.
According to the report, the decline reflects the ongoing global impact and the adverse effects the country is experiencing due to national restrictions imposed on the nation by the Covid-19 pandemic.
This has negatively affected industries such as Communication, Restaurants, Personal Services, and Other Manufacturing.
Wages and Salaries for the September 2022 quarter recorded an increase of 0.4% which amounted to $143.2 million over the September quarter of 2021.
This was mainly influenced by the increase in wages and salaries in industries such as Education, Accommodation, Electricity, and Commerce.
