Samoa’s Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI), has clarified a report from Samoa Observer claiming Ministr Olo Fiti Vaai had said, “the American Samoa registered Kite Runner did not require inspection because it was a “pleasure boat.”
The newspaper further reported that the minister, in response to questions, said his Ministry’s involvement in the entry of the American Samoan-registered boat only related to inspections at the Matautu port, and whether ministry officials did their work.
Minister Olo said, in a letter yesterday, “The Samoa Observer published the responses out of context. And it is unfortunate that efforts by the Office of the Minister in the weekend to clarify and correct the misinformation published by the Samoa Observer have fallen on deaf ears.”
“It is deeply disappointing that the Samoa Observer cannot correctly publish the info provided but prefers to add its own twist. This is ironic for a newspaper that is voicing calls from The Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) for a Cabinet Minister to apologize to their reporter when he said something wrong to her.”
The letter also said, “To clarify, Hon. Olo responded specifically in relation to the actions of the MWTI only.”
“It did not in any way include other respective agencies, such as the Ministry of Customs and Revenue, Ministry of Agriculture (Quarantine), Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Immigration) and the Ministry of Health.”
“These respective agencies all conducted inspections for Kite Runner at Apia Port upon arrival.”
“Only the MWTI did not conduct an inspection based on the information provided that Kite Runner was a pleasure boat (private vessel) and NOT a commercial vessel.”
“The MWTI does not issue permits or clearances for incoming pleasure boats.”
There has been no official statement from the Samoa Observer on the letter from the Minister.
