The Department of Treasury is looking into hiring a new Chief of Customs, while the current Chief, Moetulu’i Sipili Fuiava has been assigned as Acting Chief of Customs, says Treasurer Ueligatone Tonumaipe’a in response to Samoa News questions.

Last week Friday, Samoa News received calls from Customs officers claiming that Moetulu’i had been removed as Chief, however Tonumaipe’a dismissed these allegations noting that Moetulu’i has been assigned as “Acting Chief until we find someone else.”

The Treasurer told Samoa News that the letter he sent Moetulu’i does not remove him from Customs, however he declined to further detail the context of the letter.  Samoa News understands the original was sent to Moetulu’i and there were no copies made.

 Samoa News asked why the Treasurer is looking for a new Chief, however, Tonumaipe’a declined to comment.

Responding to Samoa News queries, Moetulu’i also had no comment as to what happened, or why it happened. “I can’t comment and I have nothing to say, but it’s all politics,” said the Acting Chief of Customs, Moetulu’i.

Last year February Moetulu’i was appointed as Chief of Customs by the late Treasurer Dr. Falema’o ‘Phil’ Pili who stated that Customs was moving forward into the new year, and remained cognizant of their responsibilities in ensuring the protection of government revenue, calling for personnel realignment and designees in a memo.

In the same memo, the former Treasurer stated that Moetulu’i as Chief Customs Officer would be charged with overall operations of Customs and management staff to ensure the support structure, and to work closely with the Treasurer in all aspects.

Customs has gone through its third Chief since the new administration took office, following the removal of former Chief Vaetagaloa Glen Lefiti in August 2013 for failing to immediately inform his boss, now deceased Treasurer Dr. Falema’o Pili about an incident involving a customs officer who had picked up a package from the Post Office after bypassing a customs inspection. Lefiti was replaced by Lee Agava’a Fa’alili Lele’a, who was later transferred to the Immigration Office. Samoa News understands that Lele’a resigned from the American Samoa Government after he was removed as Chief of Customs.