The Public Trust of Samoa (P.T.O.S.) will recruit specialised staff to address deceased estate issues such as land ownership due to multiple cases being filed with the office last year.

P.T.O.S. Board Chairwoman, Safuneituuga Paaga Neri confirmed in an interview with the Samoa Observer on Monday that the office has recorded a number of cases dealing with landownership connected to the estate of a deceased person. 

She said the office has to recruit skilled officers to handle such cases in the future as more cases continue to be brought to their attention. 

"From what I know, the Public Trust office focuses on estates issues relating to funerals or those that have passed away but have lands or estates that they haven't entrusted to any of their relatives or children," said Safuneituuga. "And the carrying out of this kind of work, I understand the current staff can do it but we do have a plan to recruit more staff.

"And if there are any more issues like those that took place last year, then we should recruit those with the skills to assist in carrying out this mission and challenges brought about since last year. This is with regards to issues pertaining to lands, estates, will-making for those that have passed on but haven't decided on their will yet."

Safuneituuga was asked how the P.T.O.S. deals with land disputes connected to the estate of a deceased person, especially within villages and communities where there is no clear will on ownership. 

The P.T.O.S. Board Chairwoman was one of the guests at the official opening of the new office at the former premises of the Samoa Housing Inc. building in Matafelefele. The new office was opened by the Acting Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio on Monday.

This newspaper understands that there are currently multiple land issues and estate issues within communities linked to a deceased person's estate, which are yet to be resolved and often end up in court due to the lack of skilled personnel to resolve the issues.