At a cabinet meeting held March 9th, Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga said to directors, “Remember our country and its people. They placed us in these positions of leadership and we need to make sure we take care of them and make their concerns a priority.”
Issues discussed at the meeting, held at the Dept. of Agriculture conference room, include the territory’s response to COVID-19, the rollbacks, the recent tsunami warning, the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, food stamps being issued electronically and solutions for the morning traffic in Nu’uuli.
The media is not invited to cabinet meetings unlike the previous administration. A press release discussing the March 9th meeting was issued just yesterday by the Governor’s Office.
Discussing efforts to keep COVID-19 out of the territory, Governor Lemanu said, “We have had successes in managing COVID and have resources available to continue dealing with this ongoing issue. There’s still COVID funding that needed to be used. As leaders, we need to find ways to put this funding to work. If we do not use it, we will lose it.”
He urged directors to focus on using the COVID-19 money within its intended scope and to ensure it’s spent legally.
Lemanu stressed that the administration should always be strategic in devising the best way to use Federal Government funds effectively and transparently. This is because funds not used may have to be handed back. “I encourage you to work closely with the Federal Government to help them understand our needs and how they can help. The vast majority of lawmakers in Washington have never been to American Samoa or know anything about us. It is our job as leaders to help them understand who we are and our local issues.”
The Governor stated that one of the goals since the beginning of this Administration is to “Pay your workers and pay them on time.” He urged directors to “Pay those who are serving our Territory tirelessly. This is very important to me and the Lt. Governor. If I cannot live off of my salary and military benefits, how can I expect someone working for $12k-$16k a year? Also, pay off our debts.”
Governor Lemanu has given Directors an April deadline to begin planning the 2022 Budget submission and a strategic “spending plan” for all grant and COVID funding. The budget is usually presented to the Fono in the second regular session which begins in July.
The Governor told directors that the morning traffic in Nu’uuli needs to be addressed and mentioned that a conducive solution would be for departments to decentralize their services away from the town area. Lemanu stated, “If we spread some of our services and offices away from town and begin to place workers in some of these offices and closer to where they live, it will eliminate the traffic during rush hour.”
Also at the March 9th cabinet meeting, the Director of Human and Social Services Muavaefaatasi John Suisala explained how the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program would start processing food stamp benefits directly onto recipients’ cards. Currently, EBT cards are used primarily for WIC benefits. Director Suisala is hopeful that this program will help lighten foot traffic and large crowds around the main DHSS offices in Utulei.
Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega presented a scaled-down plan for celebrating American Samoa’s 121st Flag Day. The Office of Samoan Affairs has recommended a “celebration within policy constraints” due to COVID-19 restrictions and repatriation efforts.
The Department of Human Resources (DHR) reported on the current status of the ASG Rollback and a revised pay scale. Director Lynn Pulou Alaimalo expressed confidence in DHR’s training programs and procedures for handling each case.
“There have been unauthorized pay raises since 2019,” said Governor Lemanu, “but the roll back process has been put in place to help right the ship.”
Lt Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale told the cabinet, “If you have not seen the bigger picture yet, this has been the Governor’s priority since day zero; holding each other accountable for all our actions.”
He continued, “Our theme is accountability. Hold your workers to a higher standard of accountability and remember that their performance is a reflection of your leadership.”
We’ll report more on the cabinet meeting in our next news bulletin.
Photos: Governor’s Office
