Fono in Review

MATAUTU DR. PETER TINITALI IS NEW DIRECTOR OF OPAD 
 
Matautu Dr. Peter Tinitali, nominee for the Director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for the Disabled (OPAD) has been confirmed in the Senate in a vote of 16-1. This follows his confirmation in the House of Representatives in a vote of 18-1.
 
During the confirmation hearing before the Senate, Matautu was urged to give his best in carrying out his duties as the head of the agency that helps people with special needs. A majority of the senators noted that his resume and service to the government and the people of American Samoa is commendable, and he should keep at it, while taking over the post at OPAD.
 
Gov. Lolo M. Moliga’s nomination letter to the Fono states in part that “with his immense years of experience and the many years of working daily with these residents, I am certain that Matautu possesses the experience and knowledge that will make him an excellent director” for OPAD.
 
ASPA COMMENDED FOR FIXING STREETS LIGHTS
 
A majority of the street lights along the side of the road in Tualauta county have been either fixed or replaced according to an announcement made by Tualauta Faipule Florence Vaili Saulo, during the House Regular Session Wednesday morning.
 
She voiced her gladness to ASPA CEO Utu Abe Malae for his quick response to the needs of Tualauta, where more than 22,000 people on the island reside.
 
During the session yesterday, Representative Atualevao Gafatasi Afalava also commended ASPA for their hard work and making sure that the streets light are on at night. However, he has also received complaints from residents in Tualauta that the lights are shining right into their homes, and they somehow feel like this is an invasion of privacy said the Leasina faipule.
 
Rep. Saulo said that ASPA sought approval of the families before they fixed the street lights. 
 
HOUSE RESOLUTION FOR ATUU AND LELOALOA SEAWALL
 
Rep. Vaetasi Tu’umolimoli Moliga is sponsoring a House resolution which asks Gov. Lolo M. Moliga to direct the Director of Public Works to make and immediately implement construction plans to connect and complete the unfinished seawall between the villages of Aua and Leloaloa.
 
The resolution was assigned to the Public Works Committee chaired by Rep Atualevao Gafatasi Afavala.
 
The resolution says that although the efforts by both and local and federal governments are applauded and appreciated by residents of the district it covers, the seawall between the villages of Aua and Leloaloa does not stretch far enough to provide protection from erosion to a populated area, which now witnesses its shoreline rapidly washing away.
 
The resolution states that it's proper for the government to extend the existing seawall from Leloaloa, where it currently ends to the village of Atuu where the tuna canning plants begin. It notes that the property occupied by the canning plants act as a wall protecting the remaining parts of Atuu village, however the areas left unprotected continue to suffer serious wear and require immediate attention.