Cabinet Level Meeting Discusses Response

“What are the chances of Cyclone Amos making a U-turn?”

That’s what Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Mauga asked Meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service Mase Akapo Akapo at a meeting of cabinet members late this morning at the Department of Homeland Security conference room.

Governor Lolo Moliga who was scheduled to leave last night for  a meeting with the Retirement Fund officers and advisors in Honolulu but decided to stay back because of the cyclone, was at the meeting.

Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga chaired the meeting which was attended by all directors or deputy directors, including the authorities LBJ Hospital and the American Samoa Power Authority.

From what KHJ News could make out from KVZK-TV’s live feed of the meeting, the aim was to assess post cyclone response.

The last 15 minutes of the meeting discussed transportation to Manu’a, opening  outer health centers, and checking schools to make sure they are ready for class on Monday.

Manu’a has not had a boat trip for more than a month but at the meeting, there was mention of the Fotu o Samoa arriving early next week to make a delivery for the eastern group of islands.

Coast Guard officials also gave a report of the salvage operations for the fishing boat that’s stranded off Aunuu island.

At the end of the meeting Director of Homeland Security Utualii Iuniasolua Savusa thanked the governor and lt. governor and all the directors for helping with the Emergency Operations Center.

He said he has just finished a tele conference with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and they are on standbye in case their assistance is needed.

Utualii reminded directors that the dissemination of information must come through the EOC.

He noticed that some directors had gone straight to the media instead of going through the proper protocol which was for all information to be released through the EOC.

Lt. Governor Lemanu followed up that what the Homeland Security Director stated was the Standard Operating Procedure and asked that directors heed it.

He said all disaster information should be released under the governor’s name.

As to Mauga’s question re the possibility of Amos making a U-turn, Mase said with a grin on his face, I cant tell but Ive instructed Amos to stall near Ta’u.

That brought laughter to the meeting.

9am tomorrow is the next meeting of the cabinet at the same place.

 

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