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Territory status neither sustainable nor economically secure: Governor

By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, April 30, 2015) – Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale says that many of our government and traditional leaders have come to a conclusion that American Samoa’s status quo is unsatisfactory and it’s not economically viable for the territory to remain unorganized and unincorporated because of the inability to have some control over our resources and over our land.

His comments were made at the Cabinet meeting yesterday in reference to a draft letter that was distributed to the cabinet members, which explains to the United Nations the relationship that American Samoa has with the United States.

Next month the AG accompanied by Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega will attend the United Nations Caribbean Regional Seminar on Implementation of the Third International Decade for the Eradication of...

ADB support in jeopardy without government funding

By Peter Erick L. Magbanua

KOROR, Palau (Island Times, April 30, 2015) – Fiber Optic Task Force Chairman Rhinehart Silas said that the Belau Sub-Marine Cable Corporation must be acted upon immediately by the leadership of Palau.

Silas made this presentation during the Leadership Meeting held last April 27 at the Palasia Hotel and pointed out that among the items on the agenda, this requires the most urgency at the moment.

"If we do not act on this bill, funding will not be released from Asian Development Bank. If time lapses, the funding, even though it has been set aside for Palau, cannot be loaned out because we have missed deadline," Silas said.

He also stated that they have partnered with FSM to cut cost, because it would be too expensive for Palau alone to layout cables to Guam. FSM will be receiving funding through a grant whereas Palau will be taking out a loan.

"FSM has the...

Sogavare says MPs are supporting many people on their pay

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, April 30, 2015) – People voicing outrage at the tax-free salaries for Members of Parliament are living in an imaginary world.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the statement in Parliament last night in his sine die speech.

He also stood by the Finance Minister and the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission in their decision to award tax-free salaries for Members of Parliament, despite a public assurance he will announce measures to deal with the issue.

In a statement on Wednesday, Manasseh Sogavare said concerns raised by the public on the PEC’s decision to award tax-free salaries to MPs are valid.

He had further stated as a responsible Prime Minister, he is ready to propose measures that will adequately address these concerns.

He said he would announce these measures in his sine die motion speech, which was last...

Lolo defends hiring practices: Local residents need to pay their bills

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, April 30, 2015) – "Selfish thinking" is how Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga describes lawmakers and others who think the American Samoa Government’s workforce is too big, resulting in a large expenditure for personnel costs when ASG could be cutting costs to save money for other pressing matters in government.

Several lawmakers — in both the Senate and House — have voiced concerns over the high ASG payroll after Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga revealed in a Samoa News interview last month that the government’s cash flow has dropped by more than 50% due to many factors and this could lead to a reduction of hours for employees as a last option.

A Senate hearing early this month revealed that the government has hired additional people, including in the Governor’s Office since the start of fiscal year 2015 on Oct. 1, 2014. A Department...