Former Cabinet Minister, prominent accountant passes away
A former Cabinet Minister, a prominent accountant and auditor, Matatauali'itia Tupuola Afa Lesa, has passed away.
Aged 76, Matataualiitia passed away on Sunday at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital at Moto’otua.
Efforts to get a comment Matataualiitia's family and close colleagues were unsuccessful as of press time.
Matataualiitia hails from the villages of Vailima, Tanugamanono and Apia.
The former Minister of Public Works was recognised in 2016 for his leadership and the influence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Samoa Water Authority (S.W.A.) by the Pacific Water and Waste Association (P.W.W.A).
Matatauali'itia is also a former Director of the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.).
He is best known as a partner in the Lesa ma Penn Chartered Accounts Accounting Firm, which he operated with partner, Magele Arthur Penn.
Matataualiitia was also the incumbent Chairman of the Samoa Shipping Corporation Board of Directors and a Vice-President of the Samoa Red Cross Society.