HRPP Leaders to provide proof of Minister’s involvement in Solar Power Company

By LAGI KERESOMA/

Apia, Samoa – 30 January 2024: HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Deputy Leader Lauofo Pierre Lauofo have been ordered by Parliament to provide proof of their allegations that the Minister for Works, has shares in the Green Power Solar Company.

The motion was moved and passed by parliament following repeated allegations that started with Fonotoe last Thursday during an exchange between the Minister and the Falelatai MP, who was the former CEO of the Electric Power Corporation.

The allegation was again made by HRPP Leader Tuilaepa this morning as the Minister was discussing electricity generation using renewable energy and the decision to do away with the Green Market company that the HRPP Government approved to assist tenders for renewable projects for Samoa.

According to the former CEO of the Electric Power Corporation, and now the MP for Falelatai and Samatau, there could have been major reduction to electricity cost for Samoa if Green Market was still used. He said the cost could have been as low as .5 sene per unit.

However, the Minister clarified that the .5 sene is misleading as the French company brought through Green Market proposed a cost of .20 cents US without VAGST and without the company’s commission.

According to the Minister, the various companies who have now tendered for renewable energy projects for Samoa, are glad that Green Market has been removed as it will impact their respective companies cost per unit of electricity.

When the debate continued after the morning break, the Minister’s motion seems to be forgotten. However, as the Minister Olo’s was concluding his response to issues raised by Members of Parliament, Laauli took the floor and reminded the Speaker that there was a motion still before Parliament and he seconded it.

He reminded Parliament that it was not the first time the Opposition leaders have alleged that Olo is a shareholder in the company and there was a front page story in the newspaper on these allegations last Friday.

Lauofo countered and explained that it was not an allegation but a question be posed to an MP who was speaking at the time.

He also referred to Tuilaepa’s statement that Olo did approach him when he was Prime Minister about the Green Power company and was issued with a license.

Olo acknowledged Laauli for seconding his motion and before the Speaker put the question, he asked Tuilaepa and Lauofo if they have proof of their allegations.

Tuilaepa however wanted the specific wording of the motion and he reminded Olo of their meeting when he was Prime Minister when Olo came to see him about the Green Power Company.

“The reason I came to see you was to let you know I can establish a solar power system for Samoa,” said Olo.

Tuilaepa then asked the Speaker to note his exact words as he never talked about shares but the involvement of Olo in the company from the start.

The Speaker then put the question and the motion passed then he ordered Tuilaepa and Lauofo to provide proof of their allegations that the Minister for Works have shares in the Green Power Company.

The Speaker did not specify when the Opposition MPs are required to present their evidence as parliament now requires.