Moves are a foot in the waning days of the final session of the 34th legislature to add two additional senators for Manu’a.
A senate Concurrent resolution to that effect introduced earlier in the year by Manu’a Senator Galeai Tuufuli has not been reported out of the Senate Rules Committee chaired by Senator Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua.
The Manu’a senator and Senate President Pro Tem is currently off island for medical treatment after he was admitted to the hospital three weeks ago.
Yesterday, Senator Galeai asked that the bill be brought to the floor for the Senate to act on.
If approved Manu’a would have 5 senators and three House Representatives.
Since increasing the number of Fono members involves an amendment to the constitution, once the Senate Joint resolution is approved by each chamber, it needs to be passed in a referendum.
But whether it would be ready in time for the November general elections remains to be see.
The Fono is taking a recess after today and will be back in session October 12.
The plan is for the current legislature to witness and celebrate together the dedication of the new Fale Samoa, which is now a fully enclosed concrete building except for the inside ceiling showing the original Samoan fale architecture.
The building constructed by Paramount Builders, without any bidding is also fully air conditioned.
