The proposed budget for Special Programs in the administration’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget has a lot of money going to construction of buildings and payout of political appointees.
Governor Lolo Moliga is proposing $1 million out of the total Special Programs budget of $26.8 million, to payout political appointees at the end of the current administration.
The budget summary says at the end of each gubernatorial term.
All political appointees by law should tender their resignation effective on the first day of a newly elective governor’s administration.
Upon leaving office, ASG pays these appointees their due annual leave. This fund is solely established for these payouts.
In terms of construction, $700,000 is proposed for the Fono Fale Samoa, $600,000 is proposed for a Youth Multi Purpose Center for the Western District, with Tafuna as the site for the youth center similar to the one in Pago Pago, $500,000 is to go to restoration of Government House, $500,000 is also proposed for the Jean P Hayden Museum restoration, Manu’a gets a $400,000 maintenance budget which is to complete and maintain government buildings on Ofu and Tau and help finance economic development projects in Manu’a and an upgrade of Veterans Memorial stadium is budgeted for $200,000.
Some new budget items under Special Programs include $100,000 for Fiji Medical Staff training, to help local students accepted at the Fiji School of Medicine with tuition and accommodation expenses, feasibility and design for a new LBJ Hospital which is budgeted for $300,000 and an America Samoa Humanities Council subsidy for $50,000.
