Vice Speaker Says No Show Directors Should Be Handcuffed In

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Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui was not joking when he repeatedly told House Representatives they are to instruct police to bring in any Director subpoenaed by House Committees who refuse to appear.

Fetu, who led the House session today, was referring to the Director of Port Administration, Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele who has been a no show to House hearings despite subpoenas issued to her, including one called by Chairman Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Allen and the House Government Operations Committee.

Manu’a lawmaker Vesi Talalelei Fautanu Jr. had requested a hearing with Port Administration on Wednesday to explain the lack of transportation for Manu’a residents.

According to Rep. Vesi, they have been trying to make arrangements to transport the body of an elderly woman to Manu’a but both the MV Sili and Segaula boat are not operating.

In response to his Manu’a colleague, Vice Speaker Fetui told Vesi to send an official communication to the Governor’s Office to inform directors if they fail to respond to the Fono’s subpoenas, DPS is there to bring them in if need be.

Referring to the Port Director, the Vice Speaker said, “ua fai sina le mafaufau,” the Director is somewhat disrespectful.

Chiming in, another Manu’a lawmaker Toeaina Faufano Autele said this has never happened before but it looks like the directors are just doing as they please.

The Vice Speaker told his colleagues, that when he leads the House in the absence of the Speaker and a director is a no show, he will order the police to handcuff them.

Supporting the Vice Speaker, Aua Faipule Faimealelei A. Allen commented it’s sad that the Directors didnt have a problem showing up for their confirmation hearings but now have many excuses not to attend hearings.

Faimealelei said not all directors are like this.

Towards the end of this morning’s session, Vice Speaker Fetu reinforced that he’s dead serious when he says members should exercise their power with directors.

He said the cabinet members are not honoring the House’s wishes because representatives are not exercising their authority to the fullest extent.

Said Fetu, it’s not right that a director repeatedly ignores a Fono subpoena.

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