Investigation into Assembly Clerk completed

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 30 August 2018, 12:00AM

The Audit Office has completed its investigation into the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Sefuiva Charlene Malele. 

Audit Office director (legal) Vaipou Fetuliai Lagaaia said he anticipates the final report being submitted to the Parliament tomorrow. 

“As for your question on the O.C.L.A. we have now completed our audit field work and investigation process into the O.C.L.A. We are now in the process of reviewing and finalizing our report. We are anticipating a report to be submitted to Parliament by Friday 31 Aug 2018,” he said, when responding to questions from Samoa Observer.

 Vaipou said the findings of the audit had to be communicated back to the responsible Ministry and the authorities for a decision to be made.

“As such our audit investigation report of the O.C.L.A. will be submitted to the relevant authorities, which is the Honorable Speaker of Parliament and also to the Honorable Prime Minister, as he is the responsible Minister for the Legislative Assembly. As for the Audit report to Parliament, please note that it will be tabled through the usual process. Therefore, the audit report on the O.C.L.A. investigation will be included in our six-months report ending December 31, 2018.”

He also urged Samoa Observer to wait for the report to be tabled in Parliament before its findings can be made public. 

“We respect your keen interest in publishing this upcoming audit report but we kindly advise that you wait for the report to be tabled in Parliament pursuant to Standing Order and section 42 of the Audit Act 2013 before it can become a public document.” 

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also Minister for the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly (O.C.L.A.), said the Government will always do its due diligence and investigate complaints. 

He assured the public that the inquiry will be completed soon and warned that violations of the law cannot be hidden. 

Earlier this month, Sergeant at Arms for Parliament, Luatalo Setima, confirmed the investigation and indicated that it was the result of an official complaint filed by a Parliamentary driver to the Office of the Prime Minister. 

As reported earlier, Sefuiva has refused to comment when approached by Samoa Observer.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 30 August 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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