Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga will deliver his third State of the Territory Address Monday at 9a.m. at the Fono Guest Fale with a joint session of the Fono, for the official opening of the 34th Legislature.

Specific issues to be covered by the governor’s address were not yet available, but Samoa News understands that the final text of the address is being reviewed by Lolo for his approval and the full text will be available thereafter.

Similar to the last two State of the Territory messages to the Fono, the governor’s office will release to the news media full details of the speech in both English and Samoan on the day of the opening.

It is expected that Lolo will address several issues — including the territory’s economy, ASG finances and the outcome of the administration’s cost-containment measures first implemented in January 2013. Also expected will be information on infrastructure development, and challenges faced by the American Samoa fishing industry, especially with the minimum wage hike looming, as well as new regional restrictions on fishing days for the locally based U.S. fishing fleet.

Several lawmakers are eager to learn the actual financial status of ASG at the end of fiscal year 2014 — which closed Sept. 30. 2014 — especially whether there was a surplus or deficit.

Additionally, lawmakers want to know the status of ASG’s long-term debts, as the administration plans to use the bonds issued under the American Samoa Economic Development Authority to refinance those debts in the millions of dollars. Bonds are also planned to finance infrastructure development, such as major road repairs island-wide.

Sen. Galeai M. Tuufuli told Samoa News yesterday that he would like to hear directly from the governor — when he addresses the Fono — what the Administration is doing to recover the nearly $1 million worth of payouts given to cabinet directors of the previous administration, and those payouts included former Gov. Togiola Tulafono and former Lt. Gov. Faoa Aitofele Sunia.

“When the governor came to office in January 2013 he spoke about the payouts and the additional ASG revenues involved in the payouts,” Galeai said. “And the governor again spoke about it when he addressed the Fono in January 2014 and the Senate had already responded to his concern by conducting a probe.”

“However, the administration has yet to respond to our report, submitted in September 2013, with a follow up inquiry in September last year,” he said. Galeai, chairman of the Senate Government Operations Committee, launched the probe by conducting hearings in mid 2013 and thereafter submitted the report and all information from the hearing to the governor and the Attorney General’s Office.

Galeai asked the governor at the time for the Executive Branch to conduct an investigation into the legality of these payments, with the intention of recouping any ASG funds which were paid out contrary to law.

A sitting governor can also use the State of the Territory address to outline legislation that the Executive plans to send to the Fono for consideration.

It's unclear as to what measures the governor will propose to lawmakers, but Samoa News understands one measure would allow the government to establish a Charter Bank, which would then be converted to a ‘commercial bank’ after two to three years of operations.

Samoa News understands that the administration has also already sent to the Senate the  nominations of two individuals as judges for the Judicial Branch.

CABINET MEETING

At last week Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, Lolo told directors that a report of the past two years since the administration took office will be presented to the Fono, outlining its achievements, especially in economic development.

He says the report to be presented Monday will show improvements to the economy during the administration’s two years in office compared to previous years, and this report will also be the official one submitted to the Interior Department.

The ASG report includes details and information from all departments and entities of the government.

Cabinet members along with the Judicial Branch and local traditional leaders have been invited to attend the Fono opening Monday.