To ensure that the government is not in the red at the end of the current fiscal year,  Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has emphasized to his cabinet directors the importance of continued efforts to keep spending down by cutting unnecessary expenses for the rest of FY 2017.

One such expenditure, which has been reduced by order of the Governor is the monthly allocation for gasoline to fuel ASG vehicles.

Speaking at last Friday’s cabinet meeting held at the Gov. Rex Lee Auditorium, Lolo said he has directed the Department of Public Works to reduce by 50%, for the rest of FY 2017, gasoline allocation for ASG vehicles including all executive departments and offices.

He said a lot of gasoline is being used because ASG vehicles are going to places they are not supposed to go. He called on directors to abide with the new gasoline reduction policy and to use ASG cars for the right purposes.

“What we are aiming for is that the government is not in red on Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year (2017),” Lolo revealed that preliminary figures from the Treasury Department and Budget Office show that the government may have a deficit, of up to $7 million, at the close of FY 2017, and the possible deficit is due to “fast spending while revenue coming in to the government has been low.”

 Lolo called on directors to “make every effort to contain spending within the means that we have by Sept. 30” and this is so very important when it comes to agencies funded by local revenues.

“The biggest challenge now is for the government to remain within the approved budget at the close of FY 2017,” Lolo said, and noted that the current financial “struggle” is the same as the last four years of the administration.

“We were able to survive in three of those four years, keeping spending within the approved budget,” he said and asked directors to bring that knowledge and expertise learned in the past four years to address the financial challenges of FY2017 and ensure that ASG closes its books for FY 2017 with a good mark.

According to the Governor, the ASG Revenue Task Force, chaired by Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale, is working on draft legislation to be presented to the Fono to increase government revenue.

“It's time that we expand our revenue base,” he said, adding that it's difficult to improve services such as those at the hospital, schools, and even roads, without additional local revenue.

He said the government depends on itself to find money for road improvements. He then revealed that the government now has a “aitalafu” or charge account with McConnell Dowell and other contractors so that roads are paved as ASG currently lacks the necessary financial resources.

Later in the cabinet meeting, Pubic Works director Faleosina Voigt announced that the reduction in gasoline allocation, which is carried out through gasoline coupons issued for each department and office, becomes effective this month.

“If a director usually gets 80 coupons a month, you will now get 40,” she said and noted that the impact of the new reduction of gasoline coupons will not be realized until the end of June, as there are still allocations left over from May.

She said a follow-up letter will be sent to directors providing a detailed explanation and she expects this reduction in gasoline coupon allocation to last through the end of current fiscal year.

Lolo added, “The government will not be affected if cars are not used” and he encouraged directors to save gasoline by cutting down on the use of ASG vehicles in their departments.

Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga reminded directors that “we have limited financial resources” and the Governor had stated that ASG depends on itself to find money for important improvements.

Lemanu said the governor had spoken at high school graduations, that “leaders model the way” and therefore as directors, they must set an example on maintaining financial constraints within their respective departments and offices.

He urged directors to rein in spending, and to keep costs down. For example, the use of ASG vehicles, which use gasoline. He said he has seen large ASG vehicles with only one person driving and riding, instead of car-pooling.

Lemanu suggested using a bike, or even taking the aiga bus, instead of using government cars. “Try it,” he said, about taking the bus, and noted that both he and the Governor have already taken the bus.

He said that for at least one day out of the week, try to arrive at work and go home using the bus. He said directors must set an example, "because if we don’t, the habit of using ASG vehicles just to go from one place to another will never stop.”

Lemanu also spoke about the 24-hour pass for the use of ASG vehicles after hours. He said the policy should be slowed down and if the pass is issued, the vehicle must be parked at the appropriate ASG compound while the employee finds a ride to go home.

He said more gas is used up by taking the car home, than using the vehicle for government work.

To directors, he said, “we need internal control” when it comes to vehicle use because if there is no internal control, the government will never save money that is spent on fuel. Lemanu reiterated that if directors do not set an example by cutting down spending, their staff will never follow.