Outspoken Member of Parliament, Independent Olo Fiti Vaai, has been removed from Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee.
This came to light in Parliament Tuesday when Deputy Speaker Nafoitoa Talauimanu Keti moved a motion to reorganize the membership of the committee.
Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Olo said he was not surprised with the decision and believes it’s because of issues he has raised pertaining to government finances.
He said he has followed Parliament standing orders regarding the confidentiality of information, but pointed out that once the information is tabled in committee, then it becomes public information.
The new members of the Finance and Expenditure Committee are Namulauulu Sami Leota and Ili Setefano Ta’ateo.
The committee is chaired by female MP Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau, while former Minister of Finance Faumuina Tiatia Liuga is vice chair.
In Parliament, Olo questioned the appointment of MP Namulauulu to the committee when he hasn’t been sworn into office.
However, Speaker Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi corrected him saying that Namulauulu was already sworn in by the Head of State.
However, he wasn’t in Parliament Tuesday as he was attending a meeting in Fiji.
