Samoa has the capacity and duty to shape its economic destiny by strengthening domestic revenue collection, highlighted Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Customs and Revenue, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio.

It was a message delivered through a documentary-style video posted to the Samoa Uniting Party’s official Facebook page on Wednesday.

The video is part of a strategic multi-part series by the newly formed Samoa Uniting Party, which includes the caretaker Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and the full cabinet. 

Tuala stressed that sustainable national development and resilience depend on consistent and sufficient revenue streams. 

He pointed to tangible gains under his leadership—domestic revenue rose from approximately $500 million before 2021 to $600 million, then $700 million. For the 2023/24 fiscal year, the Ministry exceeded its $663 million target, collecting  $730 million, and had set a $720 million goal for the following year.

However, the proposed $800 million target for 2025–26 was shelved after political turmoil led parliament to reject the budget by 34 votes to 16 on 27 May 2025. 

As a result, the $800 million goal and related allocations, including those supporting the Million-Dollar District Development Project—which allocates $1 million annually to each of Samoa’s 51 electoral constituencies—were put on hold pending the election. 

Tuala credited improved revenue collection as the key enabler of such development initiatives, emphasising that they would not be sustainable without a robust fiscal base.

He praised the role of taxpayers, businesses, and importers in supporting Samoa’s financial system, saying their compliance underpins the country’s ability to provide essential public services. 

He also emphasised the government’s obligation to ensure the transparent and equitable use of public funds.

Now, with the early election looming, Tuala’s focus on revenue growth, local empowerment, and financial self-reliance has become a defining narrative of the Samoa Uniting Party’s campaign.