M.N.R.E. welcomes new chief

By Hyunsook Siutaia 23 January 2021, 2:00PM

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.) held a thanksgiving service on Wednesday evening at the E.F.K.S. Hall, Sogi, to welcome newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer, Frances Debra Brown-Reupena. 

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who also serves as M.N.R.E. Minister, attended the service and delivered an address encouraging those present to be their best this year. 

"Let us work in honesty, guided by good governance and transparency," the Prime Minister said in his speech. 

"Numerous public servants are now in prison because they lack these principles.  Why? Because there is no accountability in the work that they do.

"If you work with diligence, your work will speak for itself during the time of judgement. Why? Because the roles and responsibilities that we all have been called to do is a calling from God.

"Let what you have listened to today (Wednesday) guide the path for our work this year. Have a blessed year."

The new Chief Executive also addressed her Minister, Ministry staff and guests, making a special note of thanks and appreciation to the Prime Minister and Cabinet for considering her and eventually appointing her to her position. 

"I won’t promise anything but I will work to the best of my abilities, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be of service to our government," said Ms Brown-Reupena.

"To the Ministry, this role as the C.E.O. is a service post where we’ll all be working together collaboratively for the development of our Government as well as our country. 

“Let us work together for the greater good of the Samoan people. Let us serve and work with honesty, love and do the best we can and to always rely on the Lord’s guidance."

Ms. Reupena was appointed in December last year when the Cabinet convened for the last time. She was one of five applicants under consideration for the top position.  

Ms Brown-Reupena succeeds former M.N.R.E. C.E.O. Ulu Bismarck Crawley, who resigned from his post to run in the general election this April. The mother-of-five has served in the Ministry for close to a decade. 

Prior to being appointed to the top job, she was the Assistant Chief Executive of the Environment Sector Coordination Division and also the Ministry’s Water and Sanitation Sector Coordinator. 

Ms Brown-Reupena is an ex-student of St. Mary's College. After completing her preparatory year at the National University of Samoa in 1994 she continued her education in Fiji. 

She is the daughter of the late Tupa’i Kuka who served as a 2AP broadcaster and the Director of TV Samoa for many years, and her mother, the late Talalele Tofa Brown.

By Hyunsook Siutaia 23 January 2021, 2:00PM

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