Just Asking
...
A caller to
Samoa News asked the following: Why is an ASPA employee using
her time to do computer work for Utu Abe Malae, a candidate for
governor? Also why are ASPA's "utility guys" doing
things for Utu using ASPA vehicles?
Responding to
Samoa News inquiries, ASPA spokesperson La Poasa says that if
ASPA employees are working for campaign-related activities after
ASPA business hours and not using ASPA property, then that's
their prerogative.
She said during
an ASPA managers' meeting on Wednesday, ASPA chief executive
officer Michael Keyser "made it clear to all managers that
ASPA property is not to be used for campaign activities, that
campaign-related work during working hours is prohibited, and
for the managers to remind their employees of this."
"He also
told the managers that any complaints relating to campaign activities
that come before him will be thoroughly investigated and employees
found guilty will be suspended," said Poasa.
She also said
ASPA chief operations officer Reno Vivao sent out an e-mail to
ASPA employees before the Nov. 4 general election reminding employees
that ASPA vehicles and business hours are to be used specifically
for ASPA business only.
She said a similar
e-mail was sent out by Vivao to the employees after it was known
that a runoff election would take place.
"[The] Election
is not over yet. Please be reminded to our Operation, that ASPA
Vehicles and Business hours are to be used specifically for ASPA
business only. No Campaigning Activities/ Presentation during
ASPA Business hours," said Vivao in the Wednesday e-mail.
Attached to the
e-mail was ASPA's Ethics Policy and Regulations, which includes
provisions titled "Campaign Assistance and Political Activities"
and spells out a number of dos and don'ts.
It states in
part that ASPA employees are prohibited from using or allowing
others to use ASPA resources (e.g. time, positions or titles,
equipment, material), for political campaign assistance or political
activities.
According to
the policy, the prohibitions in this section of the ASPA Ethics
Policy apply only to actions or activities: on any ASPA premises;
during working hours or any time the employee, director, officer,
or agent is representing ASPA; or the use of any ASPA property,
equipment, supplies or assets.
The policy went
on to say that an ASPA employee, director, officer or agent may
not perform, undertake or participate in any political activities
while at work.
(It should be
noted the ASG has a similar ethics policy and regulations regarding
political campaigning and activities, as well as in the normal
course of doing government business.
For example,
the use of a government vehicle to go to church, a funeral, shopping
for the family, dropping off and picking up one's children from
school, bar hopping, or other activities is prohibited by ASG
policies and has been the subject of many Samoa News stories.
Reach the reporter
at fili@samoanews.com
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