Former senator Faasisina Fuamatu Fuamatu is the new Western District Governor.
Governor Lolo Moliga has appointed Fuamatu to the position which has been open since the death of Lualemaga Faoa early this year.
Fuamatu is a military retiree who served one term as Senator for Alataua District.
He has worked on and off for the Office of Samoan Affairs, serving as a village mayor and a clerk for the Western District Governor.
Fuamatu currently operates buses for Alataua.
A memorandum issued by the governor dated May 15th cites the provision in the revised constitution of American Samoa governing the appointment of officials of the Office of Local Government.
This states that officials of the government of American Samoa including district, county and village officials shall be appointed by the governor.
Prior to appointing a district governor, the governor through the Secretary of Samoan Affairs shall request the recommendation of the appropriate district council as to who shall be appointed in the case of a district governor.
The Secretary of Samoan Affairs may also make his recommendation to the governor.
Lolo said he has complied with requirement of the law in selecting the Western District Governor thereby fulfilling a vacancy caused by the untimely passing of the late Lualemaga Faoa.
He said he requested and received three recommended candidates from the Western District Council also the Secretary of Samoan Affairs, consistent with requirement of the constitution, provided his recommendation for his consideration.
The governor’s memo did not say who the other two recommended candidates from the Western District Council were.
Lolo concluded, “I am confident that the new district governor will fulfill his responsibilities honorably and effectively.
The selection of a Western District Governor had been discussed at a meeting of the Western District last month.
At that meeting the consensus was for Paramount Chief and Senator Satele Galu Satele to pick the new District Governor.
Satele picked former Tuala-tai Senator Tuiasina Esera for the position however when it came time to collect signatures for the certification document, very few matai offered their signatures.
Another meeting of the district was convened by Secretary of Samoan Affairs, to pick a new District Governor during which Satele insisted on Tuiasina while other leading chiefs put up their own candidates,
Without any agreement on a successor for Lualemaga, it was decided that the matter be left to Governor Lolo to decide.
