Returning Palauli villagers the right to control their local water supply is a top policy for aspiring M.P. Fiso Taranaki Mailei.

The 66-year-old businesswoman is contesting the Palauli No.3. constituency seat currently occupied by the Ministry of Public Enterprises Associate Minister Tuifa'asisina Misa Leleisiuao.

But she has questioned why no benefits have reached Palauli villagers since the Government commissioned the Vailoa Palauli hydropower plant in January 2019.

"In the past, the people of Palauli did not have to pay for water supply as we have been blessed by our heavenly father with resources for our people,” she said in an interview with the Samoa Observer. 

"The water that is being supplied (through the Vailoa Palauli hydropower plant) to the other constituencies from our area is from our waters in Palauli.

"But what happened is that the Government has reached out and meters that water for our people (in Palauli).”

Fiso is of the view that it is wrong for the Government to access water from their area for a hydro plant, which benefits other constituencies without Palauli villagers being compensated.

"And to me, that is wrong on so many levels, they take our water and then we get nothing in return," she said. 

“They get all the money, instead of the people who own the land and water. 

"Our elders agreed to that because they are very respectful people, but I know deep down, they know it's not the right thing to do.

"So that is my fight, I want to successfully return our water to our people."

Contesting under the banner of the Tautua Samoa Party, Fiso is up against six other candidates including the incumbent Member. 

April's election will not be the first time for her to aspire for public office, as she also ran unsuccessfully in the 2016 General Election. 

Revealing that she initially had no plans to contest after her first attempt five years ago, the mother-of-two said her decision to put her hands up was due to “divine inspiration”.

"I had no plans to contest again, after my first attempt," Fiso said. "At the beginning when people and the village started nominating candidates, I did not plan to run again," Fiso said. 

“But the spirit of the Lord spoke to me and that voice became stronger as time went by, therefore I had to obey the whispers of the holy spirit.

"I am well aware that contesting in a general election is not an easy thing to do. 

“But as a Christian, I am a strong believer that once God calls you to do something, no one and nothing should ever detain you from pursuing his will."

And while compensation for the use of their water remains a priority, Fiso says the state of the country’s economy continues to be a worry, and agriculture should be the backbone of Samoa’s economy.

"And not just taro, but also all the different kinds of crops, vegetables and farming," she added. "I will push them and motivate them to work the land so that they will be able to get into commercial farming. 

“I want to encourage them to come up with planting plans and some incentives so that they can thrive and be able to take care of their families. 

"That way, they will not have to rely on remittances. A lot of our people do not realise that we are so blessed with so many natural resources and very good lands.

"All we need to do is make good use of those resources so that we earn money to take care and develop our families."

Improving access to educational resources and upgrading facilities within the different schools in her constituency are also part of her plans as an M.P. if she wins the election.

"Education is very important and it is also very crucial that we push for good facilities and resources to assist our children with their learning,” added Fiso. "They are the future of this country. 

“We are in an era where technology is coming on too strong and we should take advantage of that. 

“I want to install tutorial training courses on the student's computers to help them with their studies at home so they can practice the different tutorials at home."

The rest of her plans are spelt out in the Tautua o Samoa Party's manifesto.

For instance, the party proposes the establishment of a university in Savai'i to be called the "Le Tolotolo o Tamauli Campus”, which Fiso says she supports.

"That is something they (Government) should've done years ago – if we have our own university in Savai'i our children will no longer have to go to Upolu after College.

"The parents will not have to worry about trying to find a place for their children to stay in Upolu when it is time for them to attend University. 

“They won't have to stay in Savai'i and be worried about where their children are in Upolu, what they're doing all the time."

The party’s other plans include medicare and increasing the pension for 65-year-olds and over.

"Those are really good plans and that's why I support Tautua's manifesto because it's for the benefit of our people,” emphasised Fiso. 

The current Government’s plans to tax church ministers should also be abandoned, according to the candidate.

"The bible is clear on that and they (Government) should have never touched that in the first place.

"If they want to live for a long time on this earth, they should destroy that law. 

“So after they misuse all the money and funds from overseas countries, they now want to force the anointed servants of God to pay tax?

"The money church ministers have already been taxed, and they are also paying tax because they buy from our stores and shops. 

"If they tax that same money, it will be triple taxed, they should never judge the work of the church ministers, the final judgment is made by God, not them."

The controversial Land and Titles Court (L.T.C.) Acts, which were passed by the Parliament in December, will also be annulled by the Tautua Samoa Party if it wins the election and gets to form the Government. 

With the general election less than three months away, Fiso remains confident of her chances 

"I am not worried at all," she said. "As a born-again Christian, I am focusing on my work and leaving everything in God's hands. 

“Win or lose I will be fine because I know every calling is from him."

Fiso is the daughter of a former Member of Parliament, Fa'amatuainu Tala Mailei. The Palauli No.3 constituency comprises the villages of Fa'ala, Vaito'omuli, and Vailoa.