Political party, school society among those hit by deregistration drive

By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i 01 September 2019, 4:00PM

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L) has moved to deregister a number of incorporated societies this month including a political party and an ex-pupils association

A public notice released by the M.C.I.L. this month announcing the deregistration of the Tautua Samoa Corporation and active Samoa College Old Pupils Association (S.C.O.P.A.). 

According to the M.C.I.L. the societies have failed to comply with statutory obligations as stipulated under the Incorporated Societies Ordinance 1952. 

According to the law a society must apply for renewal of registration on or before 30 June of every Financial Year and submit audited annual financial statements.

“If a society fails to renew registration, every member of the society shall upon conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding two ($200) penalty units each,” according to act. 

The notice says that under section 7B of the Incorporated Societies Amendments Act 2011 the Registrar will remove the societies from the registered Incorporated Societies. 

“The removal of these societies will be effective after three months from the date of advertisement unless cause is show to the contrary,” says the notice. 

According to S.C.O.P.A.’s website, they have close to 500 members and are highly active as seen in the community. 

 Last year S.C.O.P.A donated $100,000 to Samoa College. In January, 2019  the school thanked S.C.O.P.A. for the new gates to the school which cost $21,000. 

The Tautua party was formed by 11 independent Members of Parliament in December 2008 and their founders described their aim as providing parliamentary opposition to the ruling H.R.P.P. 

Other Incorporated Societies to be deregistered are Athletic Samoa Incorporated; Samoa Fencing Association Incorporated; Samoa Shipping Corporation Seafarers Association Inc; National Health Services Employees Association of Samoa Inc; Samoa Golf Academy Incorporated; Samoa Blind People Association Inc; Samoa Culinary Association Inc; Climate Action Network of Samoa Inc; Alamagoto Rugby Club Incorporated; So’o Organic Levao   Multi Farming Society; Fa’alapotopotoga Tagata Tokelau I Samoa Inc; Sosaiete Aufaifaatoaga Savaii; Wellbeing & Community Solutions Inc; Toomaga o Aiga Incorporated; Gaui-ga-naa Society Incorporated; Global Samoa Legendary Rugby Club Inc; Sofua Manuai Incorporated and Chanel Tennis Club Incorporated. 


By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i 01 September 2019, 4:00PM

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