The sa’o or head matai of the Soliai Family of Nu’uuli, High Chief Soliai Fuimaono, has written to ASG’s top two finance officials to set the record straight about a payment which a report they distributed at a House hearing last week shows was paid by ASG to the Soliai Family.
In his August 10th letter to Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a and Budget Director Catherine Saelua, Soliai quoting a Talanei News story said he was very surprised to hear that in the report they gave, it was listed that the American Samoa Government paid $200,000 to the Soliai Family for a new road project in Nu’uuli.
“As the sa’o and on behalf of the Soliai Family, I would like to make it clear that neither I, nor my family, received any money from the American Samoa Government for the new road project,” said Soliai.
He said he also has not signed any approval or lease that would support such a payment to the Soliai Family.
“Although the governor asked me for Soliai land for the new road, I have not signed or approved a lease of Soliai land for the new road,“ he informed Tonumaipe’a and Saelua.
“I had told the governor that me and my family need time to review the plan for the new road before we can enter into a lease.”
Soliai asked the Treasurer and Budget Director to please clarify their report to the Fono.
“If it is true that ASG has issued a payment of $200,000 to the Soliai Family, it did so without my approval or support,” he wrote.
“I therefore ask that any check to the Soliai Family for the new road be voided until a proper lease has been reviewed and entered into with the Soliai Family.”
Soliai’s letter was copied to Governor Lolo Moliga, Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Tofau, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, the Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Taase and myself, Monica Miller, as editor of Talanei News.
