Life of ASG Compliance Review Committee extended

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a Jan. 6 memorandum, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, extended the existence of ASG’s Compliance Review Committee, which also has the authority to issue subpoenas pursuant to local laws.

In January last year, the governor established the committee to review all expenses related to COVID-19 as well as all government contracts and employment actions since Jan. 1, 2019.

And the committee replaced the “COVID-19 Compliance Review Committee” established in May 2020 by the previous administration.

Then in February last year, the governor gave additional responsibilities to the committee “review all actions on leases that the government has entered into or amended.”

Several memos were also issued expanding the membership of the committee, which is chaired by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Tuimavave Tauapa’i Laupola while the vice chairman is Attorney General Fainu’ulelei Falefatu Alailima-Utu.

In his latest memo on the subject last week, the governor extended the life of the committee, which he said has “provided invaluable insight throughout the last year.”

He explained that the committee is empowered to review all actions, provide recommendations, and implement programs that are consistent with the governor’s directives.

Additionally, the committee shall continue to convene, reviewing matters on behalf and at the request of the governor. Furthermore, the committee “shall have the authority to issue subpoenas pursuance to A.S.C.A 4.0302.”

The memo also identified the 20-member committee, whose chairman and vice chairman remains the same. And committee members may designate alternates by notifying the chairman in writing. Committee members are directors and senior officials with the Executive Branch.

The new memo, supersedes the ones issued last year.

VOCATIONAL REHAB OFFICE

In a separate memo last week, the governor announced that Office of Vocational Rehabilitation director Poumele P. Apisa traveled off island for medical reasons on Jan. 6.

And in his absence, the governor appointed Elizabeth Mavaega as acting director until Poumele returns to the territory.