Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — ASG Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a will remain in government service, dealing with finances — for three months — as the out-going Lolo Administration transitions the helm of government to the new incoming administration of governor-elect Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga and lieutenant governor-elect Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele Ale.

This is according to Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga in a public statement made at yesterday’s cabinet meeting at Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium, where the governor spoke briefly about ASG finances, which includes close to $8 million in “actual cash” in the ASG accounts at the Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS).

Lolo recalled that when the current administration came into office in 2013, there was a huge deficit it had to address, and the current admin worked to ensure a brighter financial future for ASG moving forward. And the administration achieved this task.

Lolo said he has turned over to Lemanu the latest financial status of government as well as the Administration’s transition report. He says the financial achievements by the government were a result of cabinet’s diligent work.

According to the governor, he has already spoken with Lemanu and Talauega that at the end of the Lolo Administration, the current Treasurer will remain on for three months, to support the new administration’s selected treasurer.

He said Tonumaipe’a will provide information and direction on ASG finances as well as assistance in any way to help the new administration. He said the outgoing administration cannot ignore the government — which is the government for the people.

He said Tonumaipe’a had originally refused to stay on and the governor publicly asked Tonumaipe’a to stay on for three-months to support and help the incoming administration.

As the administration is preparing to leave office, Lolo said that between $15 million and $20 million in surplus from fiscal years 2019 and 2020 is been passed on to the new administration.

 He said a proposed appropriation bill is prepared for the incoming administration for the government moving forward. He didn’t provide any other information on the proposed bill.

Lolo also said that another important financial milestone already provided to Lemanu is “actual cash” in the bank. He said close to $8 million is on deposit at ASG accounts with TBAS. He said this is the “actual cash” that Tonumaipe’a will present to the treasurer of the new incoming administration and it will help them.

He said that what’s important is that the out-going and the incoming administrations have a close working relationship.