Museum building & Manu Samoa donation questioned

museum-building

Funding for the new museum building which was dedicated last month came under the microscope during review of the Governor’s Special Programs budget yesterday,

The chairman of the joint budget hearings Sen Magalei Logovii recalled that Governor Lolo Moliga stated during the dedication ceremony that the $800,000 cost of the building came from Special Programs.

He said that hes checked the FY2019 Special Programs budget and there’s no funding listed for the museum.

Sesilia Time of the Governor’s Office explained that funding for the project was from two fiscal years.

As she was trying to explain, Sen Magalei interrupted and asked if she was aware of the budget rules…that the funding lapses at the end of the fiscal year and needs to be brought back to the Fono for appropriation in the following fiscal year.

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The Governor’s Chief of Staff Fiu Johnny Saelua explained that the cost of the project was $800,000 and funding from previous fiscal years were used to fund the total cost.

Magalei was still not satisfied with the explanation. He said while he welcomes the beautiful museum building and it is a worthy project, it’s important that the budget rules are followed.

Budget Director Cathy Saelua interjected and offered this explanation.

She said there was $500,000 in the FY 2018 Special Programs budget for the museum and an additional $300,000 was added in the FY2019 budget to finish the project.

Sen Magalei asked for a written report to back up what the ASG officials were saying.

Senator Fonoti Tafaifa asked where the $100,000 that Governor Lolo donated to Samoa’s rugby team came from.

Chief of Staff Fiu said it came from the Governor’s Contingency Fund.

Sen Magalei told the committee that there’s $300,000 in the Governor’s Contingency Fund and the governor can use it however he pleases.

Sen Fonoti commented that this money belongs to the whole territory, not one individual. She said “be careful about spending money that belongs to the people.”

Meanwhile House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale commended Governor Lolo and the administration for the many projects which have been implemented under Special Programs.

He said in the past the highest amount allocated for Special Programs was $6 million but now its reached $23 million.

From his perspective many projects which are beneficial for the people have come to fruition and for that the administration should be commended.