Fai’ivae has been selected to fill post of Western District Governor

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through a June 2 memorandum — which was released yesterday morning by the Governor’s Office — Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga officially announced his appointment of former Fofo County senator, Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet to the post of Western District Governor.

Pursuant to provisions of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa and local law, the governor said that the Western District council has met and provided their recommendation through the Secretary of Samoan Affairs.

And from this meeting, Fai’ivae was selected as District Governor.

“Please extend District Governor Fai’ivae your full support and cooperation,” the governor said in the memo to cabinet members.

Samoa News understands that ranking traditional leaders and chiefs of the Western District met last month where Fai’ivae was selected to the post.

The selection was made following the passing in March this year of the late Western District Governor Fuamatu Joseph Fuamatu.

Fai’ivae’s selection was then presented to the Secretary of Samoan Affairs, who then submitted the name to the governor for the official appointment.

With the governor’s official announcement, Fai’ivae is resigning or has already stepped down as Senator of Fofo County.

Under local law, when vacancies occur in the Senate, the Governor shall issue writs of special election to fill such vacancies. But no information was available at press time from the Governor’s Office as to when Lemanu will issue the writs for a special election where Fofo County traditional leaders will meet to select the next senator.

The Fono is currently in recess and returns in July for the Second Regular Session of the 38th Legislature.