The Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.), Honorable ‘Olo Fiti Afoa Va’ai, wishes to correct alleged misinformation regarding an article published in the Samoa Observer.
In a statement released indicated that Minister Olo responded to questions from the Samoa Observer last week, questioning the Ministry’s involvement in the matter of American Samoa registered vessel Kite Runner as well as the processes that may be undertaken by the M.W.T.I. for any incoming vessel.
“To clarify, Olo responded specifically in relation to the actions of the M.W.T.I. only. It did not in any way include other respective agencies such as the Ministry of Customs and Revenue, Ministry of Agriculture (Quarantine), Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Immigration) and the Ministry of Health.
“These respective agencies all conducted inspections for Kite Runner at Apia Port upon arrival. Only the M.W.T.I. did not conduct an inspection based on the information provided that Kite Runner was a pleasure boat (private vessel) and NOT a commercial vessel. The MWTI does not issue permits or clearances for incoming pleasure boats,” says the statement.
Furthermore the statement noted the Samoa Observer published the Minister’s responses “out of context. “And it is unfortunate that efforts by the Office of the Minister in the weekend to clarify and correct the misinformation published by the Samoa Observer have fallen on deaf ears.
“It is deeply disappointing that the Samoa Observer cannot correctly publish the info provided but prefers to add its own twist. “This is ironic for a newspaper that is voicing calls from The Journalists Association of Samoa (J.A.W.S.) for a Cabinet Minister to apologize to their reporter when he said something wrong to her.
“Who keeps the Samoa Observer accountable when they publish wrong information they claim to have gotten from a Cabinet Minister?
“After multiple misreported articles published under the guise of “telling the truth”, when will the Samoa Observer be held accountable?
Maybe it is the Samoa Observer that needs to think a minute.”