$10 Million Scanner Under Senate Microscope

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Senator raised lots of question regarding one of the projects to be funded with proceeds from the Series a & c bonds.

The sale raised $55 million.

Ten million dollars is proposed for a rapid scanner, the type used at major ports to scan contents of huge containers.

The machine basically functions like an Xray.

According to ASEDA Board member Iuloglogo Joseph Pereira, the scanner was listed in legislation that the Fono approved for use of the bond sale proceeds.

However our research has found that the scanner was not mentioned in the bill and for sure its $10 million price tag did not appear in any of the ASEDA reports that were submitted to the Fono when the bond legislation was reviewed.

Senator Tuaolo Fruean questioned whether the $10 million scanner was necessary.

Tuaolo posed his question to ASEDA Board member Steve Watson.

watsonDeputy Treasurer Tina Vaa, sitting in for Treasurer and Chairman of the ASEDA Board, Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a who is off island for medical reasons, said Treasury recommended purchase of the scanner as it would help boost excise tax collections and improve border security through the detection of drugs, weapons and other contraband.

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