Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Canceling of the House Communications Committee hearing with officials from the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) raised concern from Rep. Larry Sanitoa.

He told Samoa News that a lot of issues regarding ASTCA need to be addressed in the chamber, however, it seems that the leaders do not want these issues to be discussed by the committee.

Chairman of the House Communications Committee, Ituau Representative Logoituau Mark Atafua scheduled the hearing for this past week. However, the hearing was cancelled.

Among issues that were supposed to be discussed during the hearing is ASTCA’s financial status.

Rep. Sanitoa had requested through the Legislative Financial Office (LFO), a number of reports to help the House understand how much money has been spent on the Hawaiki Cable, what the Retirement Fund loan money and bond proceeds were actually spent on, and an update report on ASTCA’s financial status.

In addition, Sanitoa also requested through the LFO, audit reports for ASTCA for FY2017 and 2018, revenue and expenditure reports for those fiscal years, as well as accounts receivable and account payable reports.

Sanitoa said the committee needs to hold this important hearing with ASTCA officials, so House members can hear from them about their financial state.