The American Samoa Department of Homeland Security’s 3rd Quarter Performance Report points out that ASG’s high risk status has presented the department’s grant program with the US Department of Homeland Security and FEMA with some challenges in carrying out its functions.
For example, the department now has to obtain prior approval from the grantor of all financial transactions.
In addition there are delays in the procurement process, delays in vendor payment schedules, and delays in processing employment documents through the ASG Dept of Human Resources.
According to the report, efforts to recruit and fill needed and funded positions are grossly hampered by the inconsistency of the Dept of Human Resources policy enforcement.
This situation is further impacted by the hold placed on personnel actions and other financial related matters by directives of the governor.
The report goes on to say that ASG’s travel is “overly restrictive and inconsistent in enforcement in terms of the approval processes.”
In addition, “Current financial restriction on use of locally approved appropriations render the department handicapped to perform operational functions such as janitorial services, facilities and vehicle maintenance and purchase of fuel and vehicle parts.“
