In response to follow up questions from KHJ News, the Governor’s Office has clarified that Mr. Enele Lefano is no longer serving as the Manu’a Director of Operations.
“His employment has concluded, effective as stated in his official termination letter,” explained the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Feo Lagafuaina.
The letter of termination she’s referring to is dated May 30 and was issued by Chief of Staff Leonard Seumanutafa, informing Lefano that his services were no longer needed and his employment was officially terminated.
KHJ news reported that Lt. Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr., in a letter dated June 10 to Seumanutafa, told the Chief of Staff to rescind the termination letter and that he was advising Lefano to return to work..
However, in response to our inquiries, Deputy Chief of Staff Lagafuaina reiterated that Mr. Lefano’s services have been terminated, as per the letter from the Chief of Staff’s letter. He has been replaced in that position by High Chief Leatiota Puipui Leatiota, Leatiota, who officially began as Director of Manu’a Operations last Friday.
Explaining the wording in last week’s press release regarding deviations from established protocols during the Lt. Governor’s absence, Lagafuaina explained this referred to “a specific instance where a few staff members, while acting in good faith, issued guidance and correspondence without following the standard internal review processes.
As a result, certain communications went out without the benefit of full legal and administrative counsel.”
She said those involved have since been fully briefed and retrained on proper procedures to ensure all future actions align with established policies ad expectations.
“Our focus now is on moving forward constructively, with a renewed commitment to integrity, accountability, and honest governance,” she added.
Photo: Enele Lefano
