The inquiry into corruption allegations against the CEO of Samoa’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is widening and last week took a different turn with the assistant CEO being charged by the Public Service Commission.
Fepulea’i Faleniu Mark Alesana has been formally charged with six charges by the Public Service Commission over his connections to a Thailand-based ship registration company, Ascent Navals, owned and operated by Indian corporation, Alexarya Corporation International.
Ascent Navals has formally lodged a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office against MWTI CEO Afamasaga Su’a Pou Onesemo which has led to a police investigation and the CEO’s suspension.
In its investigations however, the PSC has uncovered that Fepulea’i has relations with Ascent Naval and he has even admitted taking money on occasion from the company.
Fepulea’i told the PSC investigation the monies, which he confirmed receiving, were gifts.
“In one occasion, he claimed to have received a total of $10,000 Tala from Mr. Sharma in 2017. On 12 June 2018, Faleniu advised the Commission Delegate that the money from Mr. Sharma were gifts and unrelated to any business transaction nor work related,” writes PSC investigator Maiavatele Timothy Fesili in his charges report.
“However, there is doubt given the value of gifts and how often the transactions were made. It was too much of a coincidence given the nature of work and business Faleniu (Fepulea’i) and the complainant (including Mr. Sharma) were in,” he wrote.
Mr Sharma is one Sh. P.K. Bansal, a former Indian parliamentarian and a director of Ascent Naval.
