Paramount builders is the contractor for the relocation of the jet fuel tanks at the airport.
The project was originally to be financed with American Samoa Economic Development Authority bond money however Governor Lolo Moliga was able to secure funding from the US Department of Transportation for the job.
KHJ news asked ASEDA Vice Chairman, Utu Abe Malae how ASEDA now proposes to use the funding first allocated for the fuel tanks relocation.
Utu points out that this is an unusual and welcome turn around in the attitude of the Federal Aviation Administration towards American Samoa Tand in particular, the airport.
He says that for the last 20 or so years, ASG has been trying to persuade the FAA to fund the fuel tank farm at the airport but the federal agency continually declined to do so.
Utu told KHJ News, ” We understand that FAA is encouraged by our move to address the land use audit issues. Director of Port Administration, Dr. Claire Poumele has been instrumental in placing the land use audit on the front burner.”
Regarding how the bond money intended for the tank relocation will now be used, Utu said as usual there is a long wish list of projects and a limited source of funds.
But he said “projects that come to mind are infrastructure ones related to roads and dock facilities.”
The tanks will be moved from the main airport parking lot to a site just a stone’s throw from where the community swimming pool is being built at Lions Park.
The project, which was designed by Lyons company, was put out for bid and Paramount was the winning bidder.
Governor Lolo wrote ASEDA to put a hold on the tank relocation because of concerns about the tanks being close to the swimming pool.
Asked where that stands now, Utu said “this is a non-issue although still important to the habitual naysayers.”
