Director of Agriculture Solia Mutini didn’t have to answer any questions about egg-gate at a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee, this morning.
Egg-gate refers to the importation of egg shipments from Samoa that were not approved by the US Department of Agriculture, and which were delivered by Department of Agriculture (DOA) employees using DOA vehicles to stores and restaurants. In addition, payments for the eggs were made to a business owned by the Deputy Director of the Department.
Mutini was off island when the committee held a hearing about the eggs from Samoa in February, and it was decided that the committee would call him in when he returned from off island.
But Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu said, at the start of the hearing, that since the matter is the subject of an investigation by the federal government, lawmakers should refrain from asking about the eggs.
That, however, didn’t stop Rep. Luaitaua Gene Pan. He asked committee chairman Ape Mark Asifoa, if he could ask questions about the eggs and the chairman said to go ahead. However, the Vice Speaker interjected saying that they should leave the eggs for a later time.
Luaitaua reminded that the eggs were delivered by department employees using department vehicles and a business license of an employee. He didn’t feel the hearing was complete if there were no questions about the eggs.
Rep. Tapai Benjamin Vaivao asked the DOA Director, if there was an investigation by the feds into the egg shipments from Samoa. Mutini responded that they “are in communication with the USDA” concerning the eggs. Tapai, a former customs official, said that he was present at the time the egg shipments arrived and that he knows a lot about the eggs.
He commented that the word integrity is mentioned a lot, but he doesn’t see integrity with the issue at hand. He’s concerned that the younger generation are watching and those in positions of leadership should set a good example. Tapai also reminded Mutini about statements by the Governor and Lt. Governor to directors, to do what’s right.
Rep. Manumaua Wayne Wilson advised Mutini to use this opportunity to correct any wrongdoing and urged to “…not get too comfortable and neglect responsibilities,” but to do what it good for the people.
