The Minister of Commerce Industry and Labour Leota Laki Lamositele has explained the appointment of an overseas-based lawyer to chair the body that looks after consumer rights and competition in the local market. 

The Chairman of the Samoa Consumer and Competition Commission (SCCC) is the former Chief Justice of Tuvalu and lawyer, Charles Sweeney and currently resides in Australia.

Mr. Sweeney took over the chairman role from Nonu Lemauga Vaai who took over a new post as the Chairman of the Public Service Commission. 

According to the Minister for M.C.I.L., when he took over the portfolio, changes were made to the S.C.C.C. to reflect the scope of the work they do and its importance.

Leota said new members were appointed to the Commission and Mr. Sweeney will serve his contract until the end then it can be reviewed again. 

“Because all the other members are new that is the reason why the lawyer was appointed as the chair,” the Minister said in an interview with the Samoa Observer. 

“He is very qualified and experienced in the field and we can use the transition of knowledge from him to other local members. 

“The [S.C.C.C.] meetings he can connect through technology either by virtual or email on their scheduled meetings and there is also a division in the Ministry that supports the work of the Commission.” 

At the expiry of the Chairman’s contract, Leota said there is a chance for the Ministry to reassess it and put forth advice to cabinet on the continuity of the role. 

But for now, the Minister stressed the specialty area that the Commission deals with and the sharing of knowledge from the chairman to the local members was also crucial. 

Asked if there are no concerns about the Chairman working remotely from abroad, Leota said it was not a full time job. 

“They only meet once a month and they have scheduled meetings and are in communication with the Ministry,” he added. 

“Mindful their work is looking at legal policy issues but the actual groundwork is carried out by the Ministry where we have price orders, inspections and spot checks…” 

The Minister noted in the past weeks the M.C.I.L. carried out awareness work in Savaii and Upolu on consumer rights to allow members of the public to have a better understanding of price orders, packaging of products and other rights they are entitled to.