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MOU: Inter Island Airways to take over the Sega'ula

As part of today’s Manu’a Day celebration, the American Samoa Government and Inter Island Airways will sign a memorandum of understanding for the airline to take over operations of the ASG plane, ‘Segaula’ in order to improve air service between Tutuila and  Ofu Island in Manu’a.

 

This is according to the official Cession Day program, which also states that Congressman Faleomavaega Eni will deliver the official Manu’a Flag Day address and Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga will provide special remarks during the ceremony, set to begin around 9a.m. with the arrival of guests in Ta’u village.

 

The MOU was the result of a meeting last month in Honolulu between the governor and Inter Island Airways official Barney Sene to discuss the airline’s revised and final proposal for the lease-to-purchase option for the Sega'ula. 

 

One of the meeting outcomes was for Sene to revise the MOU to be signed July 16, during the Manu’a Day celebration. The governor’s executive assistant Iulogologo Joseph Pereira said last month that depending on FAA inspection of the Sega’ula and acquiring insurance under the Inter-Island Airways operating umbrella, service to Ofu will begin August 15 and the Sega'ula will be re-branded under the banner of Manu'a Air.

 

According to the Manu’a Day program, the MOU is to be signed around 10:50.a.m. after speeches by Faleomavaega and Lolo. After the MOU is signed, the parade-in-review will follow, and then the program will feature cultural performances by the villages of Ofu, Olosega and Sili late in the morning.

 

By 12:30p.m., it will be time for the villages of Fitiuta, Faleasao and Ta'u to give their cultural performances. The program shows the closing ceremony is to begin around 2:30p.m.

 

Today is also the official opening and dedication of all ASG offices on Ta’u island, according to the program, which also states that there will be an official raising of flags as well as the reading of the Manu’a Cession Day proclamation.

 

Samoa News has sent a reporter and a photographer to Manu’a for the celebrations, and will bring up to date photos and stories of the celebration, as internet access permits.

 

In the meantime, KVZK-TV Channel 2 is scheduled to carry — after 8a.m. today— the live feed of today’s festivities from Ta’u island.