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DPS wants one more motorcycle, Sen Magalei says, show me the money

 Chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, Sen. Magalei Logovi’i
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, Sen. Magalei Logovi’i says that in order for DPS to get another new motorcycle, Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson needs to come up with the funds to make it happen.

This was Magalei's answer to a copy of Le'i's letter to Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga early this month, seeking the governor’s executive support for the acquisition of one (1) new Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Magalei told Samoa News that the Senate will not support the DPS’s request unless  funding is secured to cover the total cost. The Tualauta senator said DPS has a balance of $55,636.40 in its ASG-Traffic Rehabilitation Account, but the total cost of the one motorcycle, including freight & shipping, is $64,415.52.

“The Police Commissioner needs to come up with over $8,000 to cover the total cost of the purchase; otherwise, someone will be responsible for this, and I don’t want that to happen,” Sen. Magalei said.

In his Feb. 1, 2019 letter to Gov. Lolo, Le’i stated that in Mar. 6, 2018, DPS sought his executive support in the acquisition of motorcycles as part of their long-term strategy to reduce the carbon footprint and fuel consumption due to rising costs and a reduced operating budget, which created the need for DPS to become innovative in service delivery.

“A concerted effort was undertaken to explore the fuel costs of standard utility vehicles against motorcycle units assigned to our fleet. Given the rising cost of fuel, the drastic increase coupled with budgetary constraints, warranted an immediate review of our policies and vehicle purchasing,” Le’i said in his letter to Lolo.

Le’i said that through the governor’s recommendation and support of the Legislature, an approval was granted to procure (6) motorcycle carriers for DPS; yet, only (5) were received and they were magnificently displayed during the 118th Flag Day celebration.

“There is one remaining motorcycle that needs to be acquired, which necessitates your support and that of our legislative leaders… to permit the purchase of the remaining motorcycle for traffic and patrol enforcement, as required by law.”

“Pursuant to your Cost-Containment Memorandum on all capital and vehicle purchases, DPS seeks your favorable consideration for our proposed vehicle acquisition,” Le’i concluded.

The motorcycle, according to Lei’s letter, would be purchased through funding from the Traffic Rehabilitation Program.