The chairman of the American Samoa Arts Council, Paogofie Fiaigoa has been appointed by Governor Lolo Moliga as the acting director of the Arts Council.
The governor said Paogofie will take charge of implementation of the agency’s programs.
The Arts Council also looks after the Jean P Hayden Musuem and co-hosts the Territorial Christmas Program with the Department of Youth and Women Affairs.
Governor Lolo said Paogofie’s appointment will continue until a permanent director of the Arts Council is appointed
Paogofie’s is filling the vacancy created by the resignation of former director, Uta Dr. Laloulu Tagoilelagi who stepped down last week citing health reasons.
In an emergency appointment, Governor Lolo has named Tapaau Dr. Dan Aga as Acting Director of Agriculture until further notice.
Lolo said this emergency appointment is made because of critical issues affecting the safety of locally grown agricultural products being consumed by school children and the general public.
Tapaau was Director of the Land Grant Program at the American Samoa Community College until April this year when he was named to head a new division in the Governor’s Office, the Office of Political Status, Constitutional Review and Federal Relations,
The governor said in his memo it’s imperative that the methods being used involving application of chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides must be assessed to ensure that proper safety standards are met.
Three weeks ago, the Department of Agriculture put a stop to the supply of locally grown vegetables, and fruits for the School Lunch Program, and also stopped the sale of the same.
The only locally grown produce accepted by School Lunch and can be sold are from local organic farms.
According to DOA, inspections found many farms which were violating regulations for the use of pesticides and fertilizers and using chemicals which were not certified by EPA.
Governor Lolo assigned several departments to work with DOA to inspect the farms and identify those which were compliant to resume supplying produce for School Lunch, and come up with measures for those which were in violation to follow.
The departments were also to recommend how to prevent illegal pesticides from getting past customs and into stores and farms.
Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga is leading the group.
