Lolo calls on ANZ to stop all transactions in ASH-Cable account

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga is calling on the ANZ America Samoa Bank to deny any and all requests in regards to the ASH-Cable business account with the bank.

This was revealed in a letter sent to the bank last week signed by the governor, who noted the American Samoa Government that owns 33.3% ownership interest in the company has yet to approve the appointment of another individual to replace Aoe’e Adolfo Montenegro, the long-time chief executive of the telecommunication company, Bluesky Communications— American Samoa, whose contract was not ‘continued’ by the head of its parent company, Amper SA.

 Aoe’e’s employment demise came a week after representatives of ATH, the Fijian government controlled company that's offered to buy the Bluesky Pacific Group, met with American Samoa government officials and the local management of Bluesky.

According to the letter, dated Oct. 14, 2016, Lolo pointed out that “ASG recently discovered that Adolfo Montenegro, the sole authorized signatory for ASH Cable accounts with ANZ has been relieved of his responsibilities in the company. This was done by Amper SA, the ultimate parent company of Elandia Technologies Inc., the other member of ASH Cable.

“ASH has also been informed that attempts have been made to pay certain invoices from ASH cable’s ANZ accounts without Mr. Montenegro’s approval or signature,” according to the letter.

Lolo said that ASG did not approve the removal of Mr Montenegro. “Nor did ASG approve the appointment of another individual to replace Montenegro as the authorized signatory for ASH cable.”

The governor further pointed out to the bank “until you receive a written communication from me (Governor) or an official resolution of ASH Cable authorizing a replacement for Montenegro, please deny any and all requests to draw, transfer or otherwise take our funds from ASH cable accounts with ANZ.”

Lolo made it clear to the bank that “ASG will hold ANZ response for any losses resulting from your failure to follow this request.”

The letter is cc’d to “Mr. Douglas Creepy, Acting CEO, Bluesky”.

Last month Governor Lolo wrote a strongly worded letter to Bluesky’s parent company Amper SA, in which he demanded an explanation for the “termination and removal” of Aoe’e as president and chief executive officer of American Samoa Hawai’i LLC., (ASH-Cable), which is minority owned by the territorial government. Apparently there has been no explanation forthcoming from Amper SA or Bluesky Communications Pacific Group officials.

As stated earlier, Lolo said Amper SA and Fiji based ATH, which have purchased the Bluesky Pacific Group “has no business to meddling” in the affairs of ASH Cable, as they are not members. (Full details in October 3, 2016 Edition)

Samoa News pointed out at the time that Amper SA has 67% ownership of the American Samoa Hawaii (ASH Cable) submarine cable through its majority ownership in elandia International, a Florida state based company, which in turn owns majority shares in elandia Technologies, Inc., which owns the majority shares in ASH-Cable. The American Samoa Government owns the remaining 33% of the ASH submarine cable company.