A report has revealed a high turnover of managers and board directors within a Government entity at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the lead-up to last year’s election.

The Samoa Water Authority (S.W.A.) Annual Report 2020–2021 revealed that within that 12-month period the authority saw the exit of three S.W.A. Board Directors, the C.E.O. at that time as well as three managers.

The three Board Directors who left the authority between September 2020 and February 2021 were Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe, Suluimalo Amataga Penaia and Fuatimau Maumea Leniu. Amataga and Fuatimau resigned in September 2020 as they prepared to run in last April’s General Election.

For the executive management team, the S.W.A. former C.E.O. Seugamaalii Jammie Saena resigned in May 2021. Others who also exited the office were the Manager (Urban Operations) Faumui Iese Toimoana, Manager (Commercial) Heseti Sione Vaai, and Manager (Rural Operations), Petaia Mafulele.

Faumui is now the C.E.O. for the Electric Power Corporation and Heseti joined the Samoa Life Assurance Corporation, also as the C.E.O. of the corporation. 

The resignation of the top officials from S.W.A. was highlighted in the report of the Board Directors Chairperson, Jennifer Ula Fruean as part of the authority’s Annual Report 2020-2021.

Ms. Fruean said the breadth of knowledge and experience which the resigned directors brought to the table was invaluable and paved the way for the smooth transition of new directors.

New directors who replaced those that exit the office were Leuluaialii Faufata Joachim Levi, Alaimalo Vailima Vaitupu Tua, and Li’amanaia Tua Savaii Vaai

“The Board is confident that they have and will continue to bring a broad diversity of expertise and experience to guide the Authority forward,” the S.W.A. Board Directors Chairperson stated in the annual report.

Ms. Fruean acknowledged the changes in the management of the authority, saying their successors will continue the momentum of each division. 

She acknowledged the contribution of the former C.E.O. in putting in place a “strong performance culture.”

“Whose indomitable leadership up until then has been instrumental in cultivating strong performance culture and positive growth in the Authority,” reads the report. 

“The Board is confident that her successor Fuimaono Dominic Schwalger will work together with the Board to add value to the Authority and curate an even stronger growth for years to come.”

Fuimaono was appointed in 2021 to replace Seugamaalii who resigned following the conclusion of an investigation against her.