FY 2018 shows a surplus of $3.1M, according to 'preliminary numbers'

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — “Preliminary numbers” for fiscal year 2018, which ended Sept. 30, 2018, shows a surplus of just over $3 million for the American Samoa Government, according to a Treasury Department presentation at last week's cabinet meeting, where it was also noted that while the government is “struggling financially” it is able to pay its bills.

When he spoke about ASG finances, ASG Treasurer Uelinitone Tonumaipe’a noted that when the Lolo/ Lemanu Administration took the helm of government in January 2013, “we inherited a $7.8 million deficit from the prior administration.” He provided a summary of the previous fiscal years, saying all these numbers are in the government’s audit statements, which also includes a surplus of $786,000 for FY 2017.

“Preliminary numbers” for FY 2018 show "a surplus of about $3.1 million,” he said, adding that when the last two fiscal years are combined, that's a surplus of “almost $4 million we’re looking at.”

The Treasurer thanked all cabinet members for their continued support, especially Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga.

“We could not have done this without your help,” he said. “Let's continue to do this in 2019.”

Lolo credits all of these achievements to the cabinet members working together.

When the administration took over in 2013, Lolo said, “One of our biggest challenges was to restore the financial integrity of the government. We’ve been struggling all along to accomplish that purpose.”

“Where we are today is the end result of your collaboration and working together. We have committed ourselves" to ensuring that "when we leave, we leave a government — to the next leadership — that will be sustainable in the future,” the governor told cabinet members.

He acknowledged the critics and said there are a lot of them. "And that’s what the world is all about — those who work and those who criticize. So let's continue to work and let the critics continue to criticize.”

Lolo reminded cabinet members that the administration has achieved many things, including the ASG-owned Territorial Bank of American Samoa, and much improved electric services for the Manu’a islands.

According to the governor, the American Samoa Power Authority “has been making some great strides with Tau Island now 100% solar. Ofu is heading that way.”

He said ASPA will be launching a couple of solar projects on Tutuila (see Samoa News Tuesday edition for ASPA details).

With regards to ASG semi-autonomous agencies, Lolo said, “One of our biggest challenges in the next two years is to make sure that we at least help restore the integrity of our Authorities.”

“It has been neglected by us — meaning we have been focusing on our central government all these... years,” he explained. “So for the remaining [two] years of this administration, let's focus" on making sure that "we give our Authorities the financial support and the integrity they deserve.”

"Our people deserve more than what we have been giving,” he said.

"The more we do things, the more we realize there are so many things we need to do. In order to bring the lives of our people way ahead and move forward, we have to work hard.”

Lolo revealed that changes will be made, but didn’t elaborate further, except telling cabinet members, “Don’t expect a smooth ride during the next two years of this administration.”

“I promise you, Lemanu and I will commit to our people and make sure that we do our best all the way to the end. So if you expect a smooth ride, you’re in the wrong place. Let's all come together and deliver that commitment to our people,” he declared.

“I know we’re struggling financially, but we will make ends meet. We’ll make sure that we pay our bills,” he said, and urged directors to push forward with programs that are beneficial to the people.