Alataua Senator lays out issues for his committee

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Alataua Senator Paepae Iosefa Faiai today raised concern over several issues currently confronting the government.

For example administration projects which are supposed to generate revenues but have been delayed for one reason or another.

Senator Paepae, who is chairman of the Transportation, Port and Airport Committee identified as one such pressing issue, the space needed at the airport to operate the customs scanners.

Another subject that Paepae raised was the operation of the new government boat, MV Manu’atele, which is supposed to earn revenue for ASG.

He said his committee wants to  question Port Administration about the new vessel.

What’s the warranty that was paid for various equipment on the boat?

Paepae also wants to delve into the status of Tausani Airline which received a loan from the Development Bank of American Samoa to begin scheduled commercial air service to Manu’a.

The Alataua senator said a hearing of his committee would look into what’s become of the money that was loaned to the airline to start their service.

Paepae told KHJ News he plans to call in members of Tausani management for a future hearing.

The retired pilot said he’s met with representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to discuss Hawaiian Airline”s obligations under the essential air service requirement.

He pointed out that in 1984, Pago Pago was designated as an essential air service destination under an agreement signed by ASG and the FAA.

A condition of this agreement, according to Paepae, was that the airline must provide a certain number of seats on the Honolulu Pago Pago route.

He said currently, Hawaiian Air can block off 33 seats.

Senator Faiivae Iuli said he’s discovered from his own research that the essential air service obligation ended during the Togiola administration in 2007.