Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has picked capacity as a big challenge facing Samoa in terms of project implementation.

Tuilaepa highlighted this in a speech at the opening of a human resource and development management training which was run in partnership with the Singapore government recently at the TATTE Building.  

According to the Prime Minister, “a big challenge faced by Samoa is capacity, and the proof for that are the many projects in Samoa that delay the implementation of already secured funding from overseas.

“It falls entirely on the lack of people with the right skills to conduct or carry the work. At this moment, there are still some developments that are being carried out from the time that it was passed by cabinet whether it was 56 years ago.

“And also during projects where it started but later find out complications, an example is the road going up to Tiavi - the road works started but they found out after that the road has not been measured and that the plan or construction of the road was incorrect which affected the lands of some families,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said that there have been a lot of cases occurring in recent years.

“The result is that funds become unused after five years for the project, therefore for all those of you who are heads of various organisations that if you know something must be done then do so but do not wait around.

“Waiting and prolonging the process is a problem, Israel as an example is known to have advance development and technology, due to being equipped with fast decision making.

“We must look at the negative side than the positive side and for those sitting in high positions to use your knowledge and understanding to create work opportunities,” he added.

He also added that senior executives should do more by thinking beyond the box.

“Look at the future, instead of looking at the length of your contract. Don’t think about the present generation, think about the future generations."