Samoa Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt has defiantly brushed aside warnings from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that a government-backed airline could prove financially devastating for Samoa, telling Parliament that development partners “don’t know anything we are facing.”
The sharp exchange unfolded on Tuesday after Deputy Leader of the Opposition Fonotoe Pierre Meredith raised concerns over the government’s plan to relaunch international jet services, citing an ADB warning reported by the Samoa Observer on Monday.
The report revealed that fact-finding meeting with a Samoan government delegation raised questions about whether Samoa could sustain two airlines on key international routes and warned that a new airline venture could carry significant financial risks.
Laaulialemalietoa immediately pushed back against the criticism.
“Leave it to me, you worry about things you can’t do,” the Prime Minister told Fonotoe.
“We already prepared for it.”
The Prime Minister accused critics of undermining the government’s ambitions.
“It’s just discouraging. It weakens the heart,” he said.
Laaulialemalietoa also insisted the project would attract investors without requiring support from those questioning its viability.
“Don’t worry. Even you don’t need to invest in the plane. But the country, they’re waiting and will come and invest in the plane,” he said.
In his strongest remarks, the Prime Minister dismissed the concerns raised by development partners.
“Leave our partners and donors. They don’t know anything we are facing.”
Fonotoe responded with what appeared to be a sarcastic remark, saying the Prime Minister remained confident the government would eventually acquire an aircraft.
“The Prime Minister is still courageous and adamant he’ll get a plane,” he said.
Fonotoe then pointed to previous comments by the Minister of Finance, who had indicated the acquisition could take up to five years.
“The Minister of Finance said we’ll get it in five years. So therefore, we will not get it in this political term,” he said.
