BlueSky Samoa continues to grow from strength to strength after eight years of operation in Samoa, American Samoa and the Cook Islands.

The telecommunications company celebrated its eight-year anniversary this week, with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tole’afoa Douglas Creevey highlighting some of their achievements, in a recent interview with the Samoa Observer.

He said the company continues to make progress in its operations and growth since its inception March 31, 2011 when BlueSky bought the Samoa Government-owned SamoaTel Company.

A large number of Samoans are shareholders of BlueSky, Tole’afoa added, through the investment of the Unit Trust of Samoa (UTOS). Consequently, company should work hard to meet the expectations of their shareholders in Samoa, he added.

“So it is a must for us and it is our responsibility to work hard for the people’s reliance on us in their investments. And they have also put their faith in us that we will do a great job in improving, and giving back returns or profits of their money that is funding their investments in UTOS.”

Tole’afoa said the company’s four new directors – who will represent Fiji’s Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) –travelled to Samoa from Fiji this week and will convene a board meeting. A UTOS representative will also attend the meeting.

“We have also discussed with our colleagues last week to thank them and celebrating this new level because to us, the reason why these companies have bought Bluesky Group is because they’re looking at how well our performance is, especially our service to our customers in American Samoa, Samoa and Cook Islands.

“So I’m very delighted within these eight years we have worked hard on and we’re grateful to the support of our country,” he said.

Following its establishment in 2011, the BlueSky workforce numbers increased from 160 in its pioneer days to 170, a modest increase of 6.25 per cent.

But the company continues to be challenged by the lack of personnel with “special talent”, admitted Tole’afoa, hence the decision to target Samoans who trained overseas and are returning home. 

“We’re also pushing our people, especially those who have graduated from overseas, to have a chat with Bluesky.”

The company’s total workforce numbers currently stand at 170 in Samoa, 115 in American Samoa and 105 in the Cook Islands.

The Fiji-based Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) reportedly completed its purchase of the BlueSky Group from the Spanish company Amper SA in February this year.

Tole’afoa made reference to the completion of the purchase in the interview, saying the meeting in Apia is the first under the new ownership.