Hon. 'Afu'alo Matoto was officiated this afternoon as the Acting Minister of Finance, while the Prime Minister Hon Feleti Sevele is in Auckland, New Zealand.

A spokes person for the Ministry of Information said that 'Afu'alo was informed of his acting position this afternoon, and it will be in effective for two days until the Prime Minister returns from Auckland where he is attending the 2008 Pacific Trade Expo.

Following the sudden resignation of the former Minister of Finance, Siosiua 'Utoikamanu on February 25, the Prime Minister took over the portfolio of the Minister of Finance until a new Minister of Finance is announced.

The spokes person for the Ministry of Information said that it is speculated that a new Minister of Finance will be announced after the Prime Minister returns from New Zealand on Friday, March7.

'Afu'alo is the Minister for Public Enterprises, and Information.