Logo Pelenatino Lavata'i from Lona Fagaloa says Va'a o Fonoti has had enough of receiving scraps from the Government as he pledges his allegiance with Faatuatua i le Atua ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) for the General Election.

The 63-year-old is a teacher by profession. He will be running against Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) member, Mau'u Siaosi Pu'epu'emai, and another two candidates from Saletele and Maasina, Fagaloa.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer after officially joining Samoa’s newest  political party on Thursday, Logo said Vaa o Fonoti is in dire need of substantial development.

"When I think of my dear district, it is like an abandoned area. It is not a district that you often hear is put as a priority," he said.

"And if you haven't noticed, it's like a deceptive area. They brought in a health centre but now it's just an empty structure [with] no health workers. It's like they just flash it before our eyes but do not finish it."

Logo also highlighted the dire need for better access to education facilities and resources for the children of Vaa o Fonoti.

"The truth is there is no secondary school, there is only a primary school at each sub-village [of Fagaloa]," he said.

"And after that primary school, there are only two options: they either attend the college at Falefa or they stay home at such a young age."

As a teacher himself, this will be his focus for the April national poll. 

"We need to educate our children, this is the future of Vaa o Fonoti, and Samoa as a whole," he said.

Asked why he had decided to join Samoa’s newest opposition movement., Logo simply said: "FAST's founding principles and a need of change in Government.

"There are also new laws being introduced reflecting that people have no choice to choose anymore but rather just given the laws to follow blindly.

"And with F.A.S.T. I believe we are able to resist this urge of ruling without barriers. I have gone through FAST's manifesto and I strongly believe this is real love for the nation. The country needs leaders who genuinely have a love for the people."

Logo said the current ruling party has been in power too long.

"It seems that respect for the country has gone while they act on their own; whatever they say is received regardless, as if they are talking to their children, and yet it is the nation who is listening," he said.

"But for F.A.S.T. we are founded on respect for the country of Samoa."