The Public Administration Sector welcomes the Government’s decision to establish a body to help strengthen the profitability and efficiency of its 29 Public Bodies. The Ministry of Public Enterprises (MPE) officially opened its doors to the public on 24 August 2015, and aims to make a significant contribution to Samoa’s economic growth by exercising a strategic leadership and oversight role for the Public Bodies.

The Ministry was initially part of the Ministry of Finance, operating as the State Owned Enterprises Monitoring Division. It is led by Chief Executive Officer Ms. Elita To’oala, a young and vibrant leader who holds several tertiary qualifications including a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Western Sydney. She is supported by 5 Assistant Chief Executives which includes Dr. Cam Wendt, Ms. Faafetai Golovale, Mrs. Moana Leiataua Fruean, Mr. Fogapoa Samoa, and Mr. Michael Malua Wulf.

The Ministry’s core function is to monitor the performance of PBs in accordance with the provisions of the Public Bodies (Performance and Accountability) Act 2001 and other supporting legislations that state how PBs are to be governed and what is expected of them in terms of their productivity, profitability, returns on Government’s investment and the quality of service delivery to the public. The Ministry is also mandated to provide policy advice and support to the Shareholding Ministers; Minister of Public Enterprises, Hon. Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell and Minister of Finance, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Aiono Fatialofa Sailele Malielegaoi.

The Ministry is made up of five divisions; four technical divisions and corporate service support.

  • Public Body Governance
    • Led by Dr. Cam Wendt, the division is tasked with improving the performance of all public bodies by strengthening their governance and regulatory frameworks. This involves managing the recruitment & selection process of Board Directors as well as monitoring & evaluating their performance. Performance monitoring will also be extended to all public bodies Chief Executive Officers/Managing Directors in an attempt to strengthen the accountability between management and PB Boards of Directors.
  • Commercial Entities
    • Led by Ms Faafetai Golovale, the division monitors the performance of Public Trading Bodies (PTB) through the facilitation of Corporate Plans, financial analysis and ensuring that the principal objectives of PTB under the Act are achieved. PTBs are expected under the legislation to be profitable, pay dividends to Government and provide efficient and effective service delivery to the public.
  • Mutual and Beneficial Entities
    • Led by Mrs. Moana Leiataua Fruean, the division monitors the performance of Mutual and Beneficial Bodies through the facilitation of Corporate Plans, financial analysis, performance reports, reviewing annual government grants to PBBs and ensuring that the principal objectives of PBB under the Act are achieved, which requires them to be self-sufficient while providing efficient and effective service delivery to the public are achieved.
  • Public Private Partnerships
    • Led by Mr. Fogapoa Samoa, the division is responsible for the implementation of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) and privatisation programs of Government in line with the PPP Framework and privatisation policy. The intention is to improve the management and structure of Public Bodies while strengthening the interaction between the public and private sector.
  • Corporate Services
    • Led by Mr. Michael Malua Wulf, the division will ensure that the Ministry is provided with efficient Financial, Administrative and HR support services to achieve its mandate.