The Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party will soon have its own headquarters, the party's Chairman has confirmed. 

In an exclusive interview with the Samoa Observer, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, who is also the founder of the governing party said plans for its office are "in the pipeline."

"Details of where and when the work will commence will be revealed soon once we finalise everything with all members of our party," said La'auli. 

La'auli said that 2022 is an "action year" for the governing party and that they have a lot of projects to execute this year, which will all be revealed soon. 

At the moment, the party and its members are still using facilities at the Maota of Samoa in Vaitele for their caucus and other gatherings. 

Maota o Samoa Vaitele is where the party was founded and where everything started for the F.A.S.T. party in 2020. 

This includes planning for a grand celebration to commemorate 60 years of Independence for Samoa. 

While La'auli said that the Cabinet is yet to discuss the details of how the country will celebrate it's 60 years since we became Independent, he assured that it will be "grand."

Over two weeks ago, the leader of the Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi criticised the governing party for not having their own headquarters. 

Tuilaepa made the comments while speaking about the $21.8 million Supplementary Appropriation Bill (no1) 2021-2022 which was tabled before the Parliament last month. 

The former Prime Minister was questioning a new operation expenditure of $45,000, allocated for the servicing of the chamber and procedure office and to top up resources that were diverted to finance a portion of the cost associated with the purchasing of a vehicle for the opposition leader.

While talking about the cost of a vehicle for the Opposition leader, Tuilaepa attacked the F.A.S.T. party for not having an office of their own for caucus meetings and other activities. 

"A political party must have their own office and pay for their own employees, unlike the other party (newcomer and governing Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi), which does not have its own office and they keep using properties belonging to La'auli (Leuatea Schmidt) and he's earning from it."

Tuilaepa then said the policy to provide a car for the opposition party leader was initiated by his administration.

"The idea is so that the Government can assist and help strengthen political parties within the country – that's why that policy was put in place," he said.

"The Government must give out money to develop and strengthen the political parties in the country so they can carry out their duties as the opposition and also as a party. 

"That's why we have also focused on renovating our facilities here at Petesa, because that's what we do as a party."