Tualauta faipule, Vui Florence Vaili Saulo did not mince words when demanding answers from the Director of Public Works, Faleosina Voigt regarding the longstanding problem of the Tualauta Drainage Plan, as it has been over ten years since residents have encountered this problem, which has damaged family properties. Her frustration was voiced during a hearing before the House Public Works Committee last week, where she demanded an explanation from the director.

The DPW Director explained that the application for FEMA assistance that was submitted in 2009 had been denied, as they needed additional information indicating the damage amounted up to $10million in order for American Samoa to qualify for the $10million grant for the drainage.

She further explained that in May, 2015 an official from FEMA came down to assist with their application. She said they are resubmitting the grant application but this time they’ve made amendments, and instead of one project, it’s now being separated into phases.

“Our duty is preparing the plan, clearing the right of way, but the funding comes from the grantor, yet it has been denied. We are now waiting for a second answer from FEMA.” She informed the lawmakers that they are not sitting on this project and they are exploring all resources to assist in this matter.

Vui asked as to why this project has been singled out and why are the grantors are requiring justification when other projects do not need such. “This project is not new, the problem has been there for more than ten years, and now this new information about a justification — this does not sit well with me.”

The Tualauta faipule raised her voice, telling the director that it’s unfair that Tualauta is being asked to produce justification, yet projects for other districts do not require such. “Why, the Tualauta drainage plan?” she asked.

She then told the director that it appears this project is not of importance to her department, adding that DPW is not pushing hard enough.

“These are human beings that reside in this district, this is enough… it’s not even funny. Before, I was told it was the right of way that was the hold up, yet every time it rains, the people of my district suffer. Not only their homes are damaged, but also their vehicles. It’s unbelievable how far this has come and nothing has been done.” She demanded for the director to come up with an “immediate solution” on this matter.

Chairman of the Public Works Committee, Mauagaoalii Tusipa Anoa’i asked the director why their department did not reach out to the Tualauta lawmakers for assistance, as they will solicit that from their constituents, because this problem has existed for a very long time and it appears it has fallen on deaf ears.

The lawmakers heard from the Director that it’s been four years since they sought for justification amounting to $10million.

“It appears to me there’s no effort, four years of gathering information that’s a heck of a long time,” said Mauagaoalii. He pointed out that “gathering information for four years, I find that highly ridiculous, really, it’s just too long.” 

During the hearing, the other Tualauta lawmaker Larry Sanitoa mentioned that the project is actually a Hazard Mitigation Grant Project — which was submitted in 2009 by DPW and based on his experience since 2009, dealing with DPW, FEMA and all other relevant agencies which are responsible for preparing the design, collecting data, and putting together the entire project, the process is quite complicated and complex. This is aside from getting approval from landowners, he noted.

Another issue he pointed out to the Director are the Road Safety issues in his district. He noted the recent incident wherein a child was struck by a vehicle up in Iliili near Lupelele Elementary School. Sanitoa asked about DPW's plans to install speed bumps or calming devices and safety signs not only by Lupelele but by all the school zones throughout Tualauta and the territory. He noted that several residents who live within these areas continue to call and express concerns about numerous “near miss” accidents due to motorists speeding.

“The recent and unfortunate incident of a student being struck by a motorist near Lupelele Elementary is a reminder of the danger to pedestrians of not having enough safety devices to caution motorists. Therefore, I urge and highly recommend DPW to revisit and install necessary traffic warning and safety devices not only by Lupelele Elementary, but at several other schools throughout Tualauta and the whole island.”

Sanitoa stated that he, along with his colleagues, are working on legislation to decrease the speed limit to 15 mph at all school zones during school hours as another proactive initiative in alerting motorists and the traveling public to be safety minded and cautious of pedestrians and residents, especially children.

He also noted that he will be meeting with Commissioner Save L. Tuitele to seek DPS assistance with funding from their Highway Safety Division. He told the director of the importance of acting on this request immediately as he could not overly emphasize this, since  schools will commence soon. “Let us not wait for another unfortunate accident which might result in a costly injury or worst of all, loss of life.”