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Gov directs focus on highway repairs and Manu’a

Economic development projects for the Manu’a island group are among the issues Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has directed his staff in Honolulu to explore, as well as the possibility of floating a bond to expedite repairs to all public highways in the territory, according to the Governor’s Office.

 

Prior to departing Honolulu Monday afternoon for the territory, the governor directed his staff to carry out follow-up meetings with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District on federal permits to build harbors, wharfs and seawalls in the territory.

 

Additionally, he directed them to follow up with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration on exploring the “possibility of floating a bond to facilitate immediate repair of all our public highways instead of piece-mealing it,” says Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, the governor’s executive assistant.

 

Currently the local government depends on yearly funding from Federal Highways for repair and reconstruction of local highways. There are also times when special funding is available for the territory for highway work following disasters.

 

GARVEES

 

In a letter to the governor last week, Tualauta Faipule Larry Sanitoa again pushed for the government to look at a “possible funding solution that would immediately address our transportation needs,” and noted the availability of a program managed by the FHWA Office of Innovative Program Delivery, called GARVEEs.

 

Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles (GARVEEs) enable States and Territories to pay debt service and other bond-related expenses with future federal-aid highway funds — allowing for highway projects to be done ahead of schedule.

 

Sanitoa, first became aware of GARVEEs, in January this year, when attending a meeting with Representatives Taotasi Soliai, Pulelei’ite Tufele, DPW Director Faleosina Voight, and two representatives of the Federal Highway Administration. In February, Gov. Lolo said that he would look into the program and was cautiously enthusiastic about its possibilities,

 

In his letter, last week, Sanitoa said, “An early start to getting projects in place allows for lower costs due to inflation savings, and the public realizes safety and economic benefits,” and added that these benefits in his opinion would be advantageous to American Samoa transportation needs given the current condition of our infrastructure.

 

The faipule noted, “This method of financing as required by Title 23 of the United States Code must be authorized through enabling legislation by the American Samoa Government,” and points to “the Territory of Guam through its government approved legislation of $75 million for the purpose of implementing road improvement projects,” late last year as an example.

 

He told the governor that it is conceivable that ASG could apply “up-front of $40 million to accelerate our most critical highway projects. Furthermore, the most important aspect of this potential funding program is that it will provide an economic and fiscal stimulus which is something that we are in dire need off for our territory.”

 

Sanitoa said last December, DPW advertised and held a public hearing on the Territory Transportation Improvement Program, (TTIP) for FY 2013 and FY 2014. In the TTIP, it listed all of the most critical and urgently needed road improvement projects throughout the island.

 

“As required by GARVEE, we could use the American Samoa TTIP to identify highway projects that can be funded under this program,” he said.

 

“Governor Lolo, I have already asked our legal team at the Fono to seriously look into this excellent viable funding option to immediately address our aging infrastructure. My colleagues and I will be more than happy to assist if you take this in consideration and decide to move forward with GARVEEs,” the Tualauta Representative concluded.

 

MANU’A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

 

For Manu’a economic development projects, the governor wants the staff to look at water bottling, chips processing, smoked and dried fish processing, a slaughterhouse to support piggeries, ice manufacturing, bakeries, eco-tourism, and other potentially feasible projects.

 

“The governor's vision is for the government to collaborate with a person or existing businesses interested in these economic development activities in Manu’a for eventual withdrawal by the government once the operation is running smoothly,” said Iulogologo via e-mail from Honolulu late Monday afternoon.

 

“Governor Lolo is taking bold steps to initiate these economic activities in collaboration with American Samoans who would like to engage in these types of business activities,” he pointed out. “Business operators currently doing business on Manu'a will be approached to determine their interest in these proposed economic activities.”

 

He also said the Development Bank of American Samoa, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, and the Department of Agriculture will work with these private individuals and businesses on the development of business activities there.

 

Iulogologo will spearhead these assignments and directives by the governor and remains in Honolulu for the time being.

 

Meanwhile, the governor is scheduled to depart the territory later this month for his first meeting of the Western Governors’ Association hosted by Park City, Utah from June 28-30. Among the keynote speakers for the meeting is Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary for Interior Department, according to a draft of the meeting agenda.

 

Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu contributed to this story