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ASG tells aiport taxi stands they must move today

The American Samoa Government has given the three Airport taxi stands notice that by today, June 4, 2014, they should relocate to the old government gas station area. This is according to Department of Commerce Director, Keniseli Lafaele in response to Samoa News queries.

 

This is not sitting well with some taxi drivers while other drivers are “loving” the idea of relocating.

 

The unhappy drivers told Samoa News they do not want to move as they think the temporary location is too far away from the airport and there are no stable buildings for them to use. The relocated area is inside the Senator Daniel Inouye Industrial Park, next to the Department of Public Works compound.

 

 One driver said, "Our huts here are in far better condition than the building which we are about to use." Another said he hopes that ASG will pursue a permanent location for them as they were told the same story when they relocated from the airport more than 10 years ago, that the current location was temporary.

 

Other drivers noted they are happy they are moving because there is a restroom at this new location, whereas the old location does not have any facilities.

 

However, Samoa News notes the new location has only one bathroom/ toilet for some 60 plus drivers from the three different taxi stands.

 

The DOC director told Samoa News the Department of Public Works and DOC are collaborating to repair the existing building (the old gas station building) with toilet facilities on the lot for the taxi stands’ use. 

 

“If that building is not sufficient, they (the taxi owners) can relocate their 'faleo'os' to the lot,” he said, adding that the total cost for repairs is unclear at this time, and DPW is working on it. Lafaele explained that DOC/ Industrial Park will pay for the cost of the building renovations.

 

The current location for the three taxi stands has been leased to S.M.A.L.L. Enterprises, a company owned by Liupua Andrew Sunia and Soli Fesuia’i Amani Sr. The lease is for nine years, 11 months and 29 days, commencing on Jan. 01, 2013 and ending on Dec. 28, 2022. Sunia and Soli are to pay the government $100 a month for the area, which is 0.328 acres.

 

Asked if ASG or S.M.A.L.L. Enterprises will be collecting the lease payments from the taxi stand owners, Lafaele told Samoa News that the Industrial Park (ASG Treasury) will collect these lease payments. 

 

Currently the three taxi stand owners — Dennis Allen, Sale Taylor and Talalelei Iopu — are paying $200 to Sunia and Amani Sr.

 

Samoa News has previously reported that the lease between S.M.A.L.L Enterprises and the three taxi stands is for a $500 monthly payment from each, however because there are no restrooms and no concrete or permanent building, the taxi stand owners are paying only $200 each monthly.

 

According to the DOC director, a permanent lot and facilities for taxi stands and car rentals is being planned.

 

One possible location being considered is across from the Veterans Stadium, west of the 'Michels' lot. He said that Port Administration, Public Works, DOC, and the Governor’s office (through the Capital Improvement Projects committee) are collaborating on this project.

 

Of interest: Lafaele noted, “If that's the eventual home for the stands and car rentals, then Port will collect these lease payments” (Not ASG Treasury).