Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui Jr. wanted a direct answer from ASG officials: do they want ASG payroll deductions to be reinstated or not?
Fetu has been pressing for ASG payroll deductions to be resumed for quite some time since the late ASG Treasurer Falema’o Dr. Phili Pili decided to stop payroll deductions for bill payment with the exception of the American Samoa Power Authority, the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, LBJ Hospital and Red Cross.
Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a, Director of Human Resources and the Budget Director were in the House for a hearing on payroll deductions which was requested by Rep. Vui Florence Saulo.
Rep. Fetu stated this is the 4th time they’ve called in ASG officials regarding this topic and he demanded that the ASG official give them a straight answer : Do they want payroll deductions or not.
The Manu’a faipule preached that the government was made for the people by the people and it is the government’s obligation to help them.
“Give us an answer if you’re going to do it or not,” Fetui insisted.
He said he’s not concerned so much for the businesses who are demanding this service but he’s speaking out for his constituents and the people of American Samoa who depend on payments by payroll deduction.
Fetu said his own people in Manu’a, confronted with transportation issues. find it hard to pay their bills since ASG suspended payroll deductions.
He said many cannot afford to travel to Tutuila to pay there bills.
Referring to some claims that there are people who still enjoy payroll deductions, the Vice Speaker said he believes as a Democratic leader that if a service is rendered to an individual, it should be made available to everyone.
The Manu’a faipule said this topic will continue to be dragged in deliberation unless ASG decision makers give them a straight and truthful answer.
