$250 Million Allocated to the Caretaker Government Under Audit

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 10 November 2025: The $250 million allocated under the Caretaker Government of former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa is currently in the process of being audited.

This was confirmed by the Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o in an interview with Talamua media.

“When the new Government came onboard, I asked my ministry for a report on the expense of the $250m budget allocated to the Caretaker Government,” she said.

The matter is now with the Audit Office.

Mulipola clarified that when the new government took office on 16 September, the remaining budget from the $250m would cater for only one week of the public servants salaries hence the call and declaration of the State of Emergency.

The SOE was declared for 30 days, from 30th September to 30th October 2025 and the overall budget for that period is $56m.

In the last Parliament sitting, Fiame asked for the details on how the $56m was utilized during the SOE.

As with the normal process, Mulipola said the SOE budget, the Caretaker Government budget and the budget allocated for 8 months all go through the auditing process and a report will be presented to Cabinet, and that’s where it currently stands.

Disappointing
Mulipola also dismissed claims by the Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi that the budget passed by parliament at the end of October is the same budget presented by the Fiame’s Government (that parliament rejected).

“He is trying to mislead the country,” said Mulipola.

Mulipola said Tuilaepa knows very well that Fiame’s Government budget was rejected before it was even discussed in parliament.

“What is more disappointing is that Tuilaepa supported the rejection of the budget.”

Ministries responsible for delay of paying salaries
Since the budget was passed, there have been some complaints from public servants not receiving their salaries and overtime.

Mulipola clarified that once the budget is passed by Parliament, the Head of State endorses it and a warrant of release is issued and the Ministry of Finance uploads everything into the system for all Government Ministries and Corporations.

So if there is a delay or not receiving salaries, then that falls on the respective Ministry itself.