Senior Govt. officials investigated

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 07 April 2018, 12:00AM

The Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) has launched an internal investigation against two Assistant Chief Executive Officers (A.C.E.O.) ovear allegations they altered information to allow vehicles belonging to them to be registered.

Documents obtained by the Sunday Samoan show that the year of manufacture for the vehicles were changed from 2000 to 2005 so they could be registered on the L.T.A’s Road Transport Administration System (R.T.A.S.). 

The investigation was confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer of L.T.A., Ta'atialeoitiiti Agnes Tutuvanu-Schwalger, in response to questions from the Sunday Samoan.

“I do confirm that these allegations have already been made known to the L.T.A. and an investigation is underway to prove whether these allegations are true,” she said. 

One of the vehicles involved, according to documents obtained by the Sunday Samoan, is a Toyota Allion. 

On the P.S.V. vehicle inspection, the car is a 2003 model. But according to the R.T.A.S. it’s been amended to 2006. 

Both documents point to the same V.I.N. number.

The Sunday Samoan was able to contact one of the A.C.E.O.'s implicated yesterday. He denied the allegations, noting he no longer owns any taxis.

Efforts to a get comment from the other A.C.E.O. have been unsuccessful.

But during an interview with Tutuvanu-Schwalger, she acknowledged the opportunity given to the L.T.A to comment.

But she said cannot provide “any further details at this point until the investigation has been completed.” 

The C.E.O. assured the L.T.A. has in place rules and regulations, which govern their staff and how they carry out their work. 

“Therefore, if these allegations are proven to be true then my staff involved will be dealt with accordingly." 

“Honesty is one of L.T.A.’s core values and principles therefore L.T.A. endeavours to promote and enforce this for our Management (including me as C.E.O.) and our staff.” 

According to Tutuvanu-Schwalger, since the start of 2018, L.T.A. has been in the process of upgrading its Road Transport Administration System (R.T.A.S.). The system houses all the information about vehicles in Samoa. 

“Findings from this investigation will be used to improve the setup, operation, maintenance and security of the R.T.A.S." 

“Furthermore, improvements to our current working procedures will be made based on findings from our investigation."

“Again, I on behalf of the L.T.A. encourage members of the public to contact our office for any matters that they would like to discuss and understand more." 

“Comments and feedback from the public as well as our staff is crucial in improving L.T.A.’s service delivery.” 

She also appealed to the Samoa Observer for assistance. 

“I humbly request that Samoa Observer shares any evidence that you have received to assist with our investigation,” said the C.E.O.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 07 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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