Samoa First candidate puts his hands up

By Hyunsook Siutaia 28 August 2020, 6:00PM

Feagaima'alii To'omalatai Uta'ileuo will contest the Vaimauga No 3 seat in the 2021 General Election under the banner of the Samoa First Party. 

The 65-year-old man told Samoa Observer that he is determined to help his constituency which is why he is running for the general election. 

"I want to help my constituency. There is numerous youth in my constituency that are unemployed but their parents and families rely on them," he said during an interview.

He referred to the Matautu wharf which he says the Government has profited from but no form of assistance and benefits has trickled down to his constituency and village Matautu. 

"It’s our lands that the Government is using for their work. For instance, the wharf at Matautu which the Government has gained millions and millions of dollars from it but there hasn’t been any help for our constituency and our village," he added.

More equal opportunities to education is also a priority area for Feagaima'alii, as he says there are children within his constituency who are unable to go to school, because their parents cannot afford the school fees.

Children's inability to go to school has led to an increase in street vendors in town, he said.

"There are some children who are not able to go to school because their families can’t afford school fees," he said 

"There has to be something that the Government can do for these children, where they can pay for these children’s school fees from the primary to the college level. 

"When they get up to the university level, the Government can then look into other ways they can financially assist these children. 

"This is one of the reasons why there's an increase in street vendors trying to make ends meet and because their parents can’t afford to send them to school."

Improving the access to proper healthcare is also another priority for the aspiring politician if he's elected to public office next year.

Feagaima'ali'i told Samoa Observer that the people of his constituency can't afford the hospital bills upon admission, and that the Government should take it upon itself to pay these bills or a portion of hospital bills. 

"Improving access to health is another thing. The hospital is situated within our district and some of our people can’t afford to pay for the hospital bills when they’re admitted," she added

"And that should be the Government’s role, to improve the citizens’ welfare by providing assistance with bills. 

"I’ve seen adults and elderly patients wanting to be discharged earlier because they couldn’t afford the hospital bills." 

According to Feagaima'ali'i, equal rights and equal opportunities emphasised by the Samoa First Party. He added on that they prioritise whatever needs to be presented by the citizens. 

He further emphasised that subsidies for taxes should be provided by the Government so families have enough to provide for themselves. 

He encouraged anyone who is interested to contest in the 2021 General Elections under the Samoa First Party to join as their doors are open to anyone. 

Fegaima'ali'i is married to Afamasaga Ata and together they have four children. He went to Avele College and later to Auckland University of Technology. He has acquired 30 years of working experience working back at the then Polynesian Airlines and various other jobs. 

By Hyunsook Siutaia 28 August 2020, 6:00PM

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