Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a press conference in Samoa on Wednesday local time, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt announced WST $300,000 was returned to Samoa’s Treasury following the government delegation’s visit to American Samoa over the weekend for the opening of the new Maota Fono.

“We took close to $250,000 from the official Treasury for the oso, the faaaloaloga and everything taken over,” he was quoted saying in the Samoa Observer. “We returned with $300,000, and that money has been put back into the Treasury.”

The Prime Minister confirmed that about $250,000 from the Treasury was used to transport the official oso (a gift or contribution), faaaloaloga (customary gifts) and supplies to Pago Pago, including police officers and logistics for the visiting delegation.

According to the Observer, nearly 70 police officers, cabinet ministers, associate ministers and other officials traveled as part of the delegation.

A breakdown of funds donated to various organizations and community groups from the funds received from Pago, totaled $31,000.

These included Mapu-i-Fagalele Home ($5,000), Monike Vailima ($5,000), Mapu-i-Pulotu Savai‘i ($5,000), SENESE Inclusive Education ($2,000), Loto Taumafai Inclusive Education ($2,000), Samoa Victim Support Group ($2,000), Kosena ($2,000), Nuanua o le Alofa ($2,000), Samoa Cancer Society ($2,000), Fiamalamalama ($2,000) and two associations for people who are blind ($4,000 total).

He added that some funds, which were not disclosed in his press conference, were given to members of the delegation, including the police band, and that funds were also allocated for Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Member of Parliament for Lotofaga, Fiame Naomi Mataafa. 

Laaulialemalietoa said that the contributions for the cultural presentations and ceremonial obligations were shared among cabinet members, the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) political party and members of the travelling delegation. He said cabinet ministers also contributed “personal” funds in addition to government allocations.

“The preparations for this trip were partly prepared by the government, partly prepared by the cabinet personally, and partly prepared by the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST),” he said.

“There was a contribution from the government and contributions from all those who traveled over.”

The Prime Minister said that cultural exchanges for this meeting are not measured by comparing what is taken and what is brought back, noting that the visit was conducted according to Samoan custom. “We never compare what we take and what we bring back if we do it in the context of culture,” he said.