The status of the suspended Chief Executive Officer for the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA), Toleafoa Pativaine Petaia–Tevita remains unclear as a review is still underway. 

It has been more than three months since the tourism boss was suspended for the STA Board of Directors to conduct a performance review. 

Caretaker Prime Minister and Minister of STA, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said the matter is still being handled by the Board and the Ministry of Public Enterprises, which is responsible for state-owned enterprises. 

Fiame in a press conference this week said the Board has its position, and the official involved also has the right to respond. 

“In brief, I have not received the findings,” she added. 

Last month, the Acting Chairman of the STA Board, Tuiataga Nathan Bucknall said they would be issuing a press statement in the following week about the suspended CEO. 

No statement has been released, and the Board has been quiet about the process. 

Toleafoa has been suspended since late February and was given a right of response to matters raised by the Board. 

The former Chairperson for STA, Tauiliili Alise Stunnenberg, said the board was going through a standard procedure for all government employees under review. 

She said the suspension was issued due to “unsatisfactory performance” on the STA boss, but did not elaborate on the matter. 

Toleafoa was appointed the CEO for STA in July 2022 and her tenure in office is for three years.