Ads by Google Ads by Google

Faipule call on Lolo to immediately authorize work on emergency evacuation roads

Ten Representatives are co-sponsoring a resolution requesting Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga to call upon the Directors of Public Works, Department of Commerce, and Homeland Security to immediately make plans to develop and implement the construction of disaster infrastructure for a secondary road in the Maoputasi County and the Eastern District. This measure was introduced in the House last week Friday.

 

According to the concurrent resolution, the devastating and destructive forces of the September 29, 2009 earthquake and tsunami will forever be embedded in our hearts and minds for generations to come.

 

“We have witnessed firsthand, the tragic loss of lives and property damage as a result of the lack of proper roads and inadequate holding areas for the citizens of Maoputasi County, the Eastern District and the territory.”

 

The resolution goes on to say that the tsunami event was a call to restructure policies, placing the highest emphasis and priority in the lives of the people of the territory, and the development of a secondary road atop Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Utulei and Faga’alu will provide the much needed evacuation routes to higher and safer grounds in the likely event that such a catastrophic disaster should happen again, be it man made or by natural causes.

 

“Maoputasi county is also home to a high volume of historical sites and agencies and three branches of government _and a high percentage of government workers and businesses in the private sector."

 

“To improve and safeguard the lives of the residents of Maoputasi County, the entire Eastern District, government entities the business community and the general public, it is imperative that this development should be a top priority to meet the current needs of the people, the eastern district and the territory.”

 

According to the resolution the main road from Aua to Fagaalu is inadequate to meed the needs of the people should another devastating earthquake and tsunami occur. The past events have suggested that we look at alternative roads to the hospital in the event the main road between Fagatogo and Fagaalu is cut off.

 

The Departments of Public Works, DOC and DHLS is to place the highest priority and have plans in place to develop the existing roads currently atop Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Utulei and Faga’alu that were built and constructed during the time of the US Navy administration in the early 1900’s as secondary alternatives access roads, and given the significant loss of life and the millions of dollars in property damage, it's imperative that we streamline to modify our infrastructure in the Maoputasi County to accommodate for the lack of proper roads to adequately access the hospital.

 

It’s further requested by the Legislature to utilize the unexpected and unobligated funds from Fiscal years 2014 and 2015, along with the annual Capital Improvements Project monies to assist in this important development. This is not the first time such a request has been made.