4 Nov 2009

Samoa's Minister of Works dismisses allegations of preferential treatment

8:48 am on 4 November 2009

Samoa's Minister of Works, Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau, has dismissed allegations of preferential treatment in the clean up effort following the tsunami in September.

The former minister of Broadcasting and Telecommunication, Palusalue Faapo II, who left the ruling party last year over the controversial road switch, has raised the allegations in local media.

He says his Tautua Samoa party was told during a visit to the affected villages that the prime minister and the minister of agriculture are getting the most assistance from heavy machinery to clean the debris and rubbish.

But Tuisugaletaua says heavy machinery from private contractors are being hired by the government to clean up the ruins for all those people and villages affected by the tsunami.

He also says Palusalue should thank the government for the good work being carried out following the disaster and he should not just sit back from the opposition bench and make an unfounded allegations.