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Three resign from ASEDA board, three appointed by governor

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga [SN file photo]
fili@samoanews.com

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has appointed two cabinet directors and a deputy director as new members to the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA) board, replacing three others ASEDA boards members who have resigned.

The three new appointees to the ASEDA board are Chief Procurement Officer, Dr. Oreta M. Crichton, who heads the Office of Procurement; Department of Public Works director Faleosina Voigt; and Commerce Department deputy director Uili Leauanae, according to the governor’s June 28th memo.

While Fono confirmation is required, Lolo said the three appointees are to “commence participating in the activities of the ASEDA to ensure that the required quorums are met to conduct its business.”

He also says that if the appointees are denied by the Fono, their membership will automatically be terminated. (The Fono convenes July 10th for the second regular session of the 35th Legislature.)

“The ASEDA plays a vital role in our attempt to expedite the improvement of our infrastructure system and to facility the establishment of projects to grow our economy and the continual enhancement of our people’s quality of life,” he said.

ASEDA oversees the $78 million in sale of bonds, with proceeds being earmarked for various infrastructure projects.

Other ASEDA board members are: ASG Treasurer Uelinitone  Tonumaipe’a (chairman), Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele, Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale, and Governor’s executive  assistant Iulogologo J. Pereira.

There is also representation in the Fono on the board — a senator and a faipule; however, Samoa News wasn’t able to confirm last Friday the current members from the Fono.

For the three ASEDA members who stepped down, the trio have elected to stay on as board members of the Territorial Bancorp Holding Company, the ASG entity which governs operations of the Territorial Bank of American Samoa.

Samoa News has confirmed that the three former ASEDA board members are, ASPA executive director Utu Abe Malae, (the TBAS board chair), Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele and the Governor’s Legal Council, Steven Watson.

The other four TBAS board members are: Papali’i Lauli’i Alofa, Salaia Gabbard, Eastern District Governor Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson, and Development Bank  of American Samoa president Ruth Matagi Fa’atili.

Perhaps one of the major issues TBAS board and management continues to tackle and hopefully will very soon resolve is to get federal approval of the bank’s transit routing number that will allow it to further expand banking services, including transferring money and paying bills — both on and off island.