SPBD has suspended four officers as an internal investigation is ongoing

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Apia, Samoa – July 8, 2024 – Three officials from the South Pacific Business Development Board (SPBD) finance department and one from the operations department have been suspended for their role in a $13 million error, according to reports. history a week ago.

The discrepancies led SPBD to cancel its annual Women in Business Awards, which had been scheduled for 2019.^day and 21^{English Stone} In June 2024, loans to female members were withheld as an internal investigation was ongoing.

SPBD CFO visits Apia office
Last month, SPBD’s head of US operations visited the Apia office.

The following week, the SPBD Treasurer, accompanied by an Information Technology (IT) officer, also visited the Apia office.

source said it was following these visits that the call to cancel the annual celebrations was made and prompted SPBD boss Greg Casagrande to visit Samoa.

Termination and Resignation
On the way to Fiji, source Casagrande said he called a staff meeting to inform employees that the general manager had been fired.

according to source: The general manager was fired before the staff meeting, and a few days later, two managers from different departments also resigned.

source It was further noted that staff were also informed that the new management team would be recruited from other SPBD branches in the Pacific. As of the time of writing, officers from other SPBD centres in the Pacific have assumed senior management positions in the Samoa SPBD operations.

The cancellation of the annual awards disappointed some female members.

One member said: “I don’t know why, but I am disappointed because we were looking forward to and prepared for this event.” history.

Members of another centre questioned why the event in Samoa was cancelled when all other SPBD centres in the Pacific had celebrated, with Tonga being the most recent.

Another disappointed member said: “We have been looking forward to this event because it is where our efforts as women in small businesses are recognised.”

SPBD is known for hosting an annual grand event where the centres come together in a competitive spirit. Dressed in colourful outfits, the women take part in a lively parade along the Beach Road, stopping vehicles in their tracks. The highlight of the celebration is the awarding of the Best Centre, Best Women Entrepreneur and various other awards.

Last week, SPBD headquarters officials visited and met with members at different family centers across the country, where members were informed that the loans were temporarily withheld. Members also inquired about the cancellation of the annual event and the reported difference of $13 million.