There are no immediate plans to put the face of the new Head of State on the legal tender, notes of Samoa.
Now that His Highness Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi has been elected the new Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa Newsline enquired about thesituation of the notes and coins face imprints.
According to Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa, Leasi Papalii Tommy Scanlan there are no immediate plans to change the face on local currency notes from the late Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II to the new Head of State of Samoa His Highness Tupua.
Papalii says there is no specific policy or official procedure in place that dictates changes to the face on the notes and coins of the Independent State of Samoa.
"Since the establishment of the Central Bank of Samoa Act in 1984 the notes have not changed," Papalii said.
Asked as to who has the legal authority to make such a change he said: "Under the Act, CBS makes the decision subject to approval by Cabinet."
He says there has been no suggestion to change the face on the notes since the passing of the late Malietoa.
Papalii confirmed that the well recognized original imprint, Malietoas profile remains in the 5, 10 and 20 tala notes.
The latest note issue which has been in the designing process for the last four years will be presented to the CBS Board for approval.
If cleared, the designs will then be presented to Cabinet for final approval within the next few weeks.
"Apart from the other designs on the note, the face on the background of the note remains," he said.
Papalii says if the designs are approved the final designs will be sent to print and should be ready by "early next year."
Samoas currency was established in early 1975 under the Monetary Board of Western Samoa Act of 1974.
Later on the CBS Act was established in 1984, and in 1966 the CBS was officially responsible for the Licensing and Supervision of Financial Institutions.
Malietoa has been the only face on the notes since its first introduction.
