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Lemanu submits nominees for two boards and some changes for ASPA board

Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemamu Peleti Mauga has submitted for Fono confirmation nominees to the Development Bank of American Samoa (DBAS) and the American Samoa Visitors Bureau (ASVB) boards of directors.

The governor has also resubmitted for Fono consideration and hopefully approval this time, legislation to amend current law pertaining to the two off island board members of the American Samoa Power Authority.

DBAS BOARD

For the DBAS Board, the governor nominated Rev. Tautua Fuiava, Fiapa’ipa’i Fruean, Eseta Sataua, Florida Tagomailelagi, Tauanu’u Semu Tauanu’u, Vaiausia E. Yandall, Vaimaona Fa’afetai I’aliva, Sen. Malaepule S. Moliga and Rep. Vailiuama Steven Leasiolagi.

Each appointee will serve a term of two years, the governor said.

(Samoa News notes that Fruean, Sataua, Malaepule and Leasiolagi are re-appointed members, who currently serve on the board.)

Under local statute, nine of the 10-member board are appointed by the governor subject to Senate confirmation only. And the chair is elected by majority of the board. The bank president, serves as a nonvoting ex officio member.  DBAS’ current president is Ruth Matagi-Fa’atili.

ASVB BOARD

The governor’s nominees for the ASVB board are deputy secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tauese V. Sunia — representing the Office of Samoan Affairs; Agnes Polu for the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce; Poe Mageo representing the hotel industry; and Hawaiian Airlines local station manager Tuli Fruean representing the airline/travel industry.

Terms in office for Tauese and Polu expire Mar. 21, 2025 while Mageo’s and Fruean’s terms end Sept. 21, 2024, according to the governor.

Local law calls for the board to elect its chairman.

ASPA BOARD AMENDMENT BILL

In a Mar. 21 letter to Fono leaders, the governor submitted an administration bill, which provides for revision to the requirements for members of the ASPA board of directors. “This [bill] differs from our prior submission by making residency a requirement for the appointment of directors” of the board, the governor explained in the letter to Fono leaders.

Lemanu pointed out that there “are ample candidates in American Samoa with the experience and talent to oversee” ASPA.

Last year, the Administration submitted legislation which removes from local law the two off-island board members but it was rejected by the Senate, although approved by the House.

Some senators argued that off-island members bring valuable experience and contributions to the board and should be maintained under law, while others countered that there are sufficient local American Samoans with vast experience to serve on the board.

The Administration’s new proposal seeks to add to current law that the five board members “are residents of American Samoa”.

It removes current a provision that reads, “No fewer than 2 directors shall be from outside American Samoa” but inserts a new amendment saying: “No person shall be appointed to the Board of Directors who is not a resident of American Samoa.”

Another proposed amendment states that board members, “shall be appointed to staggered terms, not to exceed four years that expire on the 30th day of June of the year in which their appointment expires.”

With the proposal to remove the off-island board members, the bill also eliminates current law that travel, lodging and meal expenses will be provided for off-island members.

Kept in place is the current law compensating each board member at $5,000 a year and $6,000 annually for the board chairman.