A meeting of the Fono 75th Anniversary Celebration Committee held yesterday with Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean has decided that the jubilee will be commemorated with just a church service on November 30.
The committee, chaired by Senator Malaepule Saite Moliga and Rep. Vailoata Amituanai, had planned a four day celebration; however, after the Governor vetoed the $1 million funding for the event, lawmakers have agreed to forego those plans.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean said the 75th anniversary of the Fono is a milestone event and they had planned a program befitting the occasion. However, they cannot go ahead because of the funding.
The Senate leader is still questioning the Governor’s veto of the $1 million for the celebration, after giving him and the Speaker his word that the funding will be given to the Fono.
There was $750,000 remaining from the $1 million allocation in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget for the 75th anniversary celebration, but the money needed to be reappropriated after the close of Fiscal Year 2023.
Tuaolo said its important for the public to understand what transpired and why he’s questioning Lemanu’s veto action.
The two items the Governor vetoed from the $22 million appropriation of surplus money, from Fiscal Year 2022 to supplement the FY2024 budget, was the $1 million for the anniversary and $1.5 million to buy furnishings for the new Fono building.
