The new Fono Building is to be officially opened on November 28, the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Senator Olo Uluao Letuli, the co-chair of the Fono committee on the Fono Building, updated lawmakers on the status of the multi-million dollar project on Tuesday.
He said their committee inspected the building the day before, and the Senate and House chambers are completed.
Ifilele to cover the podiums for both chambers has yet to arrive, and siapo would be used in the interim as covering.
Installation of the sound system should be completed by the end of the month. The air conditioning system is functioning, and the elevator is also operational.
However, offices for lawmakers will not be completed until April of next year. Senator Olo assured that the House and Senate chambers were ready.
He said by moving in and using the new Maota Fono, the contractor would hasten to get the project fully completed. 
Senator Togiola Tulafono was of the view that the opening and dedication should wait until the offices for lawmakers are completed. He said there was no need to rush into opening the building and recommended waiting until it is fully completed and everything is ready.
Since the offices are to be completed in April, he suggested scheduling the opening to coincided with the Flag Day celebration.
House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale said at the end of the discussion that the dedication will be held on November 28.
The ground breaking ceremony for the new Maota Fono was held in August of 2018.
The exact cost of the building so far is not known, but a report dated June 2025 showed that $26.8 million had already been spent on the project. Paramount Builders is the contractor, and the Project Manager is Mark Lively, who is also the architect of the building.
Photos: James McGuire, Consultant to Senate President
