Cabinet has endorsed the termination of top bureaucrat Afamasaga Su'a Pou Onesemo for breach of contract. 

He was the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi, when announcing the Cabinet’s decision yesterday in his weekly press briefing, also used the opportunity to remind the bureaucrats not to mix up personal matters with work.   

Responding to a question from the Samoa Observer, he said the Cabinet has acted on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission. 

“We have validated the recommendation submitted by the Public Service Commission (P.S.C.) yesterday (Wednesday) after their lengthy and thorough investigation into allegations leveled against the C.E.O.  

“We decided to terminate his employment contract following the recommendation,” he said.  

In June this year Afamasaga was placed on suspension to allow the Police and the P.S.C. to investigate allegations of impropriety levelled at the the C.E.O. by a former Member of Parliament of the Government of India, Sh.P.K. Bansal and his company Ascent Navals. Afamasaga strongly rejected the allegations.

In the same month the P.S.C. filed charges against Afamasaga which included alleged misuse of authority, breach of contract, failing to disclose alleged conflict of interest and the alleged breaching of the values of honesty and impartial manner.

Tuilaepa told the Samoa Observer yesterday that the outgoing C.E.O. was also given the opportunity to respond to the charges. 

“He was also given the opportunity to respond to the charges against the allegations leveled against him. 

“And the decision by the P.S.C Commissioner follows results that he breached his contract and breached values of honesty; hence the decision by the P.S.C. to terminate his contract. 

“It was a comprehensive investigation and the P.S.C. and I want to express my sympathies to him (Afamasaga) given the results of the investigation, and in my view again, was conducted properly and thoroughly which is in line with the duties of P.S.C.” 

The Prime Minister also thanked the sacked bureaucrat for his service and the decision of the P.S.C.  was merit-based and was made in line with the rules and regulations of the Government.