Eleven Associate Ministers to Cabinet were sworn-in on Wednesday to support those leading the ministerial portfolios at the Fiame Mataafa Faumuina Mulinuu II building. 

The service to officiate the appointment was held inside Cabinet chambers attended by 12 Ministers including Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Associate Ministers and the media.

In congratulating the newly appointed Associate Ministers, the Prime Minister said the position was established in 1988 and was previously known as Parliamentary Secretary. 

The selection of Associate Ministers is made by their respective Cabinet Minister. 

Fiame recalled that in 1988 when the position was established she was appointed by the former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi as the Associate for the Ministry of Finance. 

She said she was keen to understand and had hassled her Minister to give her work to do. And at the time, she said, the hot issue was discussions on VAGST that created a lot of debate. 

She was tasked to chair the officials committee after the Government at the time had passed law to enforce VAGST and it was then time for implementing it. 

Fiame said the example she used is to give the Associate Ministers an insight of the work they can do to support their Ministers and have a better understanding of the role.  

She reminded her colleagues that the country goes to poll every five years and it would be good to have the opportunity to get re-elected and have the general knowledge to run government. 

Associate Ministers are appointed under the Parliamentary Under-Secretaries Act 1988, and although they are not members of Cabinet, they are still bound by the principle of collective ministerial unity, solidarity and responsibility.

The Associate Ministers who were sworn-in are as follows: Assoc. Minister for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Manuleleua Paletasala Tovale, Assoc. Minister for the Ministry of Customs, Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe, Assoc. Minister of Agriculture, Vaele Iona Paiaaua, Assoc. Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Niuava Eti Malolo, Assoc. Minister Police and Prisons, Fepuleai Faimata Sua, Assoc. Minister of Health, Tea Tooala Peato, Assoc. Minister of Education, Agaseata Valelio Peto, Assoc. Minister of Women Community and Development, Seuamuli Fasi Toma, Assoc. Minister for Ministry of Public Enterprises, Lagaaia Tiatuau Tufuga, Assoc. Minister of Communications Information and Technology, Magele Sekati Fiaui and Assoc. Minister Justice Courts and Administration, Fesolai Tusiupu Tuigamala.