Lolo: “We are servants of the people, privileged to serve"

In his first cabinet meeting held last Friday morning, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga emphasized what he expects from his cabinet members and leaders of each department and agency of the government, according to minutes of the meeting released Friday afternoon by his office.

Among the issues on the agenda is the enforcement of ASG working hours and Lolo stressed that working hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and directors “must model the way”. Additionally, lunch is half-an-hour with 15 minute breaks mid morning and mid afternoon.

Lolo also emphasized the need to “change public service culture”, which means “treat our people with dignity and respect in our service delivery system.”

The governor called on cabinet members to “practice equality and fair treatment of all government employees regardless of personal biases or political affiliation” because “this is the government of the people.”

Cabinet members were also told to “do the right things all the time and do them in the right way.”

“Our integrity must not be compromised. This administration is committed to the principle of transparency,” said Lolo, who also stressed that the “fundamental pillars upon which this administration is anchored are unity, fairness/equality, transparency, and total accountability.”

(Lolo made this promise throughout the 2012 gubernatorial campaign.)

The governor also stressed “punctuality to all meetings and appointments” saying this is "strongly advocated."

He explained, "Don’t make people wait for us. We are their servants given the privilege to serve them.”

Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Sialega Mauga offered closing remarks before the meeting ended, with the distribution of new memos issued by the governor.

See last Friday’s edition on the memo dealing with acting directors, Saturday’s edition on ASG vehicle use policy and in today’s edition on cost containment measures.

Later this week, Samoa News will report on new cell phone usage policies.