Honourable Prime Minister and his good lady with members of the Samoan community in PNG

 

By Asenati Taugasolo Semu

Honourable Prime Minister, Susuga Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi announced the appointment of Dr. Lautofa Pulotu McCarthy as the first Consul of Samoa in Papua New Guinea.

The announcement was made during a dinner hosted by the Samoan community in PNG for the Prime Minister and his good lady, and the Samoa delegation that attended the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting.

The dinner was held at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby where about 50 members of the Samoan community living or studying in PNG attended.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa in his address said he’s been holding bilateral talks with PNG’s Prime Minister, Mr Peter O’Neill which lead to the appointment of PNG’s Consul in Samoa, extending the service of one oftheir banks in Samoa and building a hotel which is near finished in Apia.

“I told O’Niell that I will appoint a Samoan Consul when I come to Papua New Guinea, which I am doing now, and made known to him last night,” said Tuilaepa.

The Honourable Prime Minister said the appointment of  Dr. McCarthy will be made official when the process of required paperwork is done.

Tuilaepa also touched on the close relationship between the two countries.

“There is a high level of close relations and communication between Samoa and Papua New Guinea, and the warmth relationship between the two countries is credited to Christianity.”

Tuilaepa was referring to the time when Missionaries from Samoa came to PNG many years ago to preach the gospel.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the welcoming hospitality of the Samoan community in PNG, and offered some words of advice to students who are studying here to make sure they return to Samoa after their terms.

Samoan students studying at the APTC institute in Port Moresby and students in the Papua New Guinea Adventist University were also present last night.

Dr. Lautofa in his remarks thanked the Honourable Prime Minister for the appointment and said he will work to the best of his abilities to serve the Samoan community in PNG.

Speaking on behalf of the Samoan community was Susuga Charles Tuigamala who claimed that he is from Fasitoo.

He thanked the Prime Minister for accepting the invitation and for his words of encouragement and advice.

Tuilaepa also announced that Samoa will host the 2017 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders meeting in Apia.

He said the Federated States of Micronesia will host this meeting next year.

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