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House approves director-nominee for Administrative Services

Appointed Director for Administrative Services, Fuega Moliga was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives in a vote of 18-0. His Senate confirmation is scheduled sometime soon.  [Photo: JL]
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Emergency evacuation for the employees housed at the government building in Utulei is one of the issues that appointed director for Administrative Services Fuega Lua Moliga is working on. Fuega was responding to concerns and questions by Rep. Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i who inquired if there was an evacuation plan in place in case of a natural disaster or a fire.

According to Fuega it’s been three weeks since his appointment and one of the first things he’s looked at is the status of the Executive Office Building and the safety of the employees and the public who are there on a daily basis.

He said currently EOB does not have a specific plan and if a fire does occur, it is not safe as there are no evacuation plans or routes to take. He also pointed out that the building is deteriorating, as it’s an old building.

Amituan’ai made it clear to Fuega that his qualifications are not in question, but given that his background is with the department of Public Safety, he should be able to work on these evacuation plans.

The lawmakers heard from Fuega that he’s conducted research as to who is solely responsible for working on evacuation plans and the carrying out of fire and tsunami drills for the government and it lies solely on the Commissioner of Public Safety.

He agreed with lawmakers that the evacuation plan should be in place.

Amituana’i also inquired about government housing, as to why the government does not invest in refurbishing the houses. Fuega explained that while that is a good suggestion, the government’s main concern is the safety of the government employees who are housed there. He said the houses have been broken into many times and the government is concerned for the safety of their contract workers and government liability.

The Acting Admin Director said that it is the biggest concern and issue for the government.

Government housing is located next to the Territory Correctional Facility, and many years back an inmate broke out of jail and raped a prosecutor who was staying in one of houses. 

Fuega also informed the lawmakers many of the houses have been turned into numerous government offices and NGO offices, and they don’t pay rent. He said that the government should be able to get some form of payment for the use of the houses.

Another issue that Amituana’i pointed out is that government vehicles that are parked there at night and by daylight the car parts have been removed from the vehicles and the Administrative Services has to invest in lights around the area. Amituana’i said that’s why the culprits are able to steal government property — because the area is dark. 

Fuega who is the governor’s brother, has a background in criminal justice. He retired from the Department of Public Safety, after serving as the Commander for the Marine Patrol Division and Warden for the Tafuna Correctional Facility. He was also a former member of the House of Representatives. 

In other Fono news, director-nominee of Marine and Wildlife Resources, Va’amua Henry Sesepasara, who the House first denied and then voted to reconsider, the week before, was unanimously approved last Friday.