The Director of Administrative Services Tanya Ma’o-Aab expects to finalize new locations for the Department of Human Resources and Tax Office by next week.
DHR and the Tax Office were forced to move out of the CBT Building in Nu’uuli after the Environmental Services Division of the Department of Health closed the building because of leaks in the ceiling, mold and inadequate number of bathrooms.
Ma’o-Aab says they have been looking at a few locations and should firm up negotiations on the rental rate by next week then make an announcement.
She pointed out that there are many commercial spaces available however the rental rates being proposed by the owners are too high and above the Procurement Office’s allowable rates.
When asked how the CBT Building was selected to house government agencies, the director said the building was big enough and it was also a central location for the public to access. She said the problems that DOH has found were not apparent at the time they looked at the building.
Locations that ASG departments and agencies which were previously in the AP Lutali Executive Building in Utulei are now housed include the DWYA Center in Pago Pago, the Pago Plaza, the Reid Building in Fagatogo, the McDonald’s building in Fagatogo, the Star Building in Tafuna, Laufou, the former ANZ Bank Building in Fagatogo, Lumana’i Building and a building at the former Airport Way Gas Station across from Cost U less, which houses a skeletal staff of the Department of Human Resources.
