Procurement rules temporarily suspended for Manu’atele repair

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through a July 13th executive order, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has temporarily suspended local procurement requirements so repairs can be carried out for the ASG owned MV Manu’atele, which was damaged earier this year during a storm at the Ofu Harbor in Manu’a.

The US Interior Department has allocated $1.6 million for repairs to the vessel, which was sailed to Honolulu last month by a 9-member crew, who were tested locally for COVID-19 before their departure, with results being negative. The testing was required by Hawaii health authorities.

ASG officials say the temporary suspension of procurement requirements would help move forward needed repairs to the vessel, which is currently needed for transportation to and from the Manu’a islands.

And this was clearly outlined in the governor’s executive order, which points out, among other things, that the vessel is an important means of transportation of personnel and cargo between the islands of American Samoa.

The governor’s order noted that there is currently a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and he has declared a coronavirus emergency in the territory. Additionally, limiting travel to and from American Samoa has been an effective means of preventing COVID-19 from reaching the territory.

According to the order, damage to the MV Manu’atele makes the territory dependent on foreign vessels and aircraft for commercial transport of people and cargo to and from the Manu’a islands.

Furthermore, repairing the vessel is necessary to cope with the emergency by allowing for a means of inter-island transportation within American Samoa by an American-flagged vessel.

“Strict compliance with provisions of statutes and rules related to procurement would prevent, hinder, or delay the repair of the MV Manu’atele,” said Lolo, noting that his executive order temporarily suspends procurement requirements relating to contracts for repair to the MV Manu’atele “to ensure that the transportation needs during the pandemic are provided for adequately.”

The order is effective immediately and remains in effect until further order by the governor.

With the ASG owned Ronald Reagan shipyard out of commission since last year following a derailment incident, the vessel had to be taken off island for repair. It’s unclear how long it will take the repairs to be carried out.