TWO NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE FONO

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has submitted for Fono approval the names of Dr Oreta Crichton’s name for Chief Procurement Officer and Uto’ofili Maga as a member of the hospital board.

In the governor’s letter to the Fono, he points out that Dr Crichton brings a distinguished record of professional experience in government service to the position. She is currently serving as Acting CPO, and in both the previous administration the current administration, she has served as the Senior Policy Advisor with a broad range of responsibilities in the areas of public policy development, and analysis and other projects as assigned.  She also served under the previous administration as Co-Chair of the Economic Development Council.

The resolution goes on to say that she spent many years with Congressman Faleomavaega Eni’s office as staff assistant and for 12 years she was District Office Director. Her educational background contributes to her suitability for this new role with a BA degree from BYU, a Masters in Science from the University of the District of Columbia and a Doctorate in Public Administration from Golden Gate University.

The nomination of Uto’ofili for the hospital board came after Taufete’e Faumuina was appointed as the hospital CEO. According to the resolution, the governor nominated Uto’ofili as a board member to fill Taufetee’s term, which will expire April 2018.

Uto’ofili brings a wealth of experience in public health administration to the board, having received a Masters degree in Public Health and Public Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

He worked in the public health field for most of his career, serving at various times in the Administration of the DOH as its Deputy Director and eventually as the DOH director from 2004 through 2008. The resolution says that Uto’ofili is a former member of the Board of Higher Education and is also a deacon of the CCCAS, who brings a valued background and experience to the Medical Center Board of Directors.

RETIREMENT FUND IS “OK” SAYS SPEAKER

House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale assured the Fono that there are no problems with the Retirement Fund, and his comment was in response to the concerns voiced by Rep Pulelei’ite Li’amatua Tufele over the current predicament at the Retirement office.

The issue was raised during the House regular session yesterday, where he urged the House to look into this matter, noting the grave concerns by his constituents who are members of the fund.

Last week, Chairman of the Retirement Board, Fanene Morris Scanlan made serious allegations against the ASGERF Executive Director, Luatua Filisouoaiga Taafua and his alleged “questionable transactions.” The questions were raised from the use of the Chairman’s signature rubber stamps for checks issued out of the Administrative Account without the proper authorization, and checks made out to the director personally for his travel advances. On more recent findings, payments were allegedly made to unregistered businesses, Hardcore Cleaning and Star Co., for services to the Centennial Building. The payments to these vendors were allegedly deposited into the Director’s personal checking account.

Responding to the concerns, the House Speaker stated there are no problems with the fund, which was evident in the recent meeting all of the lawmakers attended in Hawaii in February 2015. He went on to say that issues at the Retirement office are internal, and its administrative problems have nothing to do with the fund.

The meeting the speaker was referring to was one in which close to 30 people from the Fono, including Representatives, Senators and more than five Fono employees traveled to in February this year.

ASTCA HEARING REGARDING BLAST CABLE DAMAGED IN MANU’A

Manu’a lawmaker Vesi Talalelei Fautanu called on the Communications Committee Chair, Pulelei’ite Li’amatua Tufele to hold a hearing as to the status of ASTCA’s blast project in Manu’a given that it was damaged during the heavy rains two months ago. Vesi told Samoa news the areas where the fiber optic cable were exposed were between Fitiuta and Ta'u along the roadside, in areas such as Matimu, and the ocean side of the aoauli going toward the upward portion of Faleasao which is Faleulu.  He noted these are critical areas, and for ASTCA to please make sure there will be no interruptions when they execute operations as far as cable being in service.

According to Vesi the reply from ASTCA Chairman Roy Hall Jr, noted that ASTCA is waiting for the splicing crew to be deployed to Manu'a to inspect and repair any damages, which may have been caused by these landslides.

Vesi said that these projects will not be neglected because these were very expensive and costly operations due to the investments made, and the building of infrastructure with the potential growth of our economy (Tutuila and Manu'a as a whole).

Vesi also pointed out the recent landslides in Fitiuta—where there were up to six different landslides— yet all that was done by the government agencies in Manu’a was to clear out rocks and debris.

According to the lawmaker, he sought assistance as to what ways DHS can better serve the Manu'a residents in future disasters such as landslides, since no one can predict any natural events, but when they do occur, Manu’a people should be well prepared. A hearing on this matter is scheduled for next week.

TUALAUTA LAWMAKER REMINDS COLLEAGUES ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE

Vui Florence Saulo is concerned that by next month there next minimum wage hike will go into effect yet it appears as if nothing is being done about it. She believed that a hearing should be called on this matter given that it’s a very important issue, due to the tremendous affect this hike will have on the business community. She stated that a resolution should be drafted to address the concerns of the Fono on this matter, given its importance. House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale said the Governor and Lt Governor are not sitting idle on this matter.

Savali assured the Fono leaders met with the Governor on this matter and they are working together. Last month, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga pointed out that the cost of living is high in the territory, and with the demand of family obligations the public needs this increase. As reported earlier Lolo said American Samoa is a member of the US family, yet based on what the people are earning, it feels like “we come from a third world county, and we cannot accept this.”

Lolo said his belief is that “in order to change the economy, we need this minimum wage.” The governor proposed a subsidy to the federal government and explained that if the minimum wage increase is $3 and the current employee is making $4, the federal government will subsidize the $3.