Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Samoa shipping minister reveals purchase price for PFL Company

Posted at 16:15 on 10 October, 2012 UTC

The Samoa government paid over one-point-six million New Zealand dollars for the Pacific Forum Line shipping company.

Samoa’s deputy prime minister and minister for shipping, Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo, revealed this on a local television last night.

The move follows a call from the leader of the opposition Palusalue Faapo II for the government to be transparent in their decision to buy the shipping line.

The deputy prime minister says all other eleven shareholders of the PFL agreed for Samoa to buy the company.

Fonotoe also says more than 260 Samoan sailors work overseas and maintaining employment opportunities for local seafarers was one of the reasons behind purchasing the PFL.