US grant funding plays key role in maintaining, upgrading and building the Territory

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The State of Critical Infrastructure highlights the projects various departments are striving to complete or have completed for FY 2023 using US grant funding.

DPW

The Department of Public Works leads the work providing not only maintenance work and emergency repairs, but also developing new projects. Its work encompasses not only constructing buildings but also “drainage and shoreline work due to the effect of climate change on our island,” according to the State of the Territory Comprehensive Report for 2024.

Most of the work is done through grants awards, which includes CIP funding. In particular, DPW has benefited by obtaining new equipment, such as a vacuum truck, 2 backhoes, an excavator, a loader, and dump trucks. Grant money also seems to have been directed at a Heavy Equipment Maintenance Fund for DPW for a little over $300,000.

PORT ADMINISTRATION

For Port Administration, the new Airport Terminal and Airport Repairs & Maintenance are listed as still in progress with the new terminal conceptual design in progress, with $15 million budgeted for it, and the R& M funding approved in October 2023 for $2 million with only 10% completed so far.

The new Port Building project is coming along nicely with 100% completion of demolition of the old building for $800,000 by Tony’s Construction, the Fender R& M 100% completed by the Ronald Reagan Shipyard; and the Hydrographic Survey (the science of measurement and description of features which affect maritime navigation, marine construction, dredging, etc.) is 100% completed by the US Army Corp of Engineers.

However, the ASG facilities to replace the old Port building is only 20% completed — its ‘detailed concept’ is still in process. Pioa Consulting and Engineering is listed as the contractor for the concept in process.

There were four (4) projects denied federal funding: the Ta’u Wharf for $5 million; the Port of Pago Pago Master Plan for $2 million; the removal of derelict vessel - NOAA Marine Debris for $3 million; and, the DHS request for perimeter fence and its own rescue boat for $1.109 million.

Revenue collected for the MV Manu’atele is listed at $712,734 in FY 2023, double the amount from 2022. The Airport collected for its Passenger Facility Charge $316,854.25 in FY 2023, way up from its COVID years of 2021 and 2022. Overall, in FY 2023 the Seaport collected one $5 million, the Airport close to $2 million for a total of almost $7 million, up by almost $2 million from 2022 and almost $3 million from 2021. Raising port fees are still in review by the rule reform panel.

ASSA

The American Samoa Shipyard Authority did well in getting contracts to remain viable. Projects included not only boat repairs and dry-docking, but also projects with ASPA, GHC Reid the Department of Marine Wildlife, and Port Administration.

In September 2023, the ‘other’ contracts raised questions from lawmakers during the Fono’s joint Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing when it reviewed the ASSA budget for FY 2024, with the head of the shipyard testifying that they have to do outside jobs to survive, “because the number of boats that need dry docking won’t allow us to survive.”

 “Many people don’t know that we don’t receive any payment for local boats. We make our own money. To survive, we have to make our own money, look for our own clients, look for our own jobs, and we have been able not only to survive, but grow tremendously.”

There were also questions about safety issues at the shipyard, especially in light of one of its divers dying during a diving training session in August 2023 and the lack of adequate funding for a safety officer and training. Only $10K was in its budget for such. Lawmakers demanded that the shipyard CEO put more emphasis on the safety of its employees and their training.

ASTCA

ASTCA in its portion of the TCR, focuses on what it did to upgrade itself in terms of customer service — personal & business — citing its accomplishments as exceeding “the monthly target of 95% for answered calls on a consistent basis”  and the launching of the 5G Wireless Mobile product.

Of interest is the enabling of LTE mobile cellular and broadband data services for the first time on Swains Island, “marking a major milestone in our telecommunications services expansion and oceanic communications across the Pacific, all operating from a local 684 exchange as a domestic call.”

This would tie-in with celebrations held on Swains Island last year to commemorate its 98th US Flag raising anniversary held in May 2023. Prior to the celebration, there was no one living on the island, due to transportation, infrastructure and supply issues. After the celebration, there has been no updates about the status of the island re possible living conditions.

ASPA

The power authority posted an operating surplus of $2,058,321 (unaudited) in FY-2023; Total revenues of $86,124,828; and, expenditures totaling $84,066,507. The largest single expenditure was diesel fuel — totaling $48,144,585, the TCR reports.

Two new generators were installed and commissioned at the Tafuna Power Plant.   The water system upgrades received the most work, with funding from USEPA, it replaced aging pipes and tanks, as well as rehabilitated water tanks.

TEO

The Energy Office which aims to decrease energy expenses for low-income households, according to the TCR, reported that it served multiply people through three (3) of its standard annual grant funded programs, with the low-income home energy assistance program serving the most households — 851 — not only on Tutuila but in Manu’a and Aunu’u. This is the program that helps pay the electricity bill for low-income households.

There was also a program for low-income water assistance, which served 200 households in FY 2023, but is longer available.

Retrofitting the 3 Kanana Fou High School buildings is listed as one of its primary projects for FY 2023, which reduced watt usage by a little more than half.

For opportunities it points to a proposal it submitted to the DOE “for the program ‘EV Career Pathways,’ which is focused on training local candidates to maintain and repair EV Charging Machines and EV Vehicles, if necessary.”

PARKS & REC

Doing its work through grant awards, its the department that works closely with National Park Service which administers the Land & Water Conservation Fund — its main annual grant funding. It reports that as of Oct 2024, a new management team and replacing employees has been put in place and “hopefully, this change will allow for faster approval of projects.” They are working on grant applications submitted from FY 2022.

Park fees were reported as totaling $44,300 from park reservations and leases for FH 2023. The fees are deposited into the General Fund.

It’s also responsible for security, 7 days a week in the Pago Pago Park, Utulei and Suigaula o le Atuvasa Park, Fagaalu Park, Lions Park, and Vaitogi Park. Security stations have also been added for personnel to use. Four Security services have the contract work and is provided with collaboration with the Office of the Governor. Hours are 24 hours on weekend and holidays and 6pm to 6am on the weekdays.

Parks & Rec was responsible in part for the funding to renovate the Little League Field and the larger field in time for the 2023 U18 Women’s and Open Men’s Oceania Regional Qualification event. It also hosted the ASG Coed Slow Pitch Softball League, held its first Table Tennis Tournament.

Work on a proposed multipurpose field is in process to be located what was once the FAA ASG lot.

Territorial parks playgrounds are currently awaiting the arrival of purchased playground sets for a cost of $1.2 million, before work commences to establish these community projects. A football field with tracks, bleachers and parking, etc. is planned for Onesosopo Park.

There also seems to be continued development for Vaitogi Park — to develop into a complex to the tune of $1.9 million — for 8 fale Samoa, a swimming pool, 27-hole putt miniature golf course and walkways between the fale Samoa, to be funded by the LWCF grant. The grant is yet to be submitted.

There is also a 5-year Territorial Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for villages that assists them with recreational courts to enhance wellness and fitness in the community. A Basketball/ Volleyball court(s) is built or renovated or upgraded as part of the the plan.

Repairs & Maintenance is part of their community outreach program which assisted and supported non-profit organizations, schools, churches and ASG departments — trimming cleaning and landscaping the outside areas.

SPORTS COMPLEX

It centers around the Veterans Memorial Stadium and its function in promoting health and wellness in the community. Ground and facilities’ maintenance is its main concern, although a certain amount of funding has gone into installing air conditioning units in its stadium office areas. Security cameras have also been ordered.

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICE

The office handles technical assistance upon request from numerous government  offices, but mainly focuses on the Governor’s Office. The office functions as a “guarantee that the Governor's Office and all governmental organizations are equipped with the requisite technological solutions and assistance to function optimally,” the TCR states. Part of its solution is “the development of a communications system via a partnership with Google utilizing the secure domain space "go.as.gov" and the suite of Google applications will remain a top priority and ongoing project.” Subscription licenses and equipment are included in this solution.

It also is working on converting manual documents into a centralized digital document repository - it still has to install the necessary equipment.

The Technology Office (TO) is situated in the Governor’s Office and answered 965 support tickets up until November 2023.

PROCUREMENT OFFICE

In 2023, the procurement office hired 8 additional staff funded through the Department of Education due to the increased purchase requests made through DOE’s CARES Act funding, the TCR states.

Video teleconferencing capability for its conference room is listed as one of its major accomplishments as it allowed “staff to attend online meetings as well as conduct Source Evaluation meetings and interviews with off-island bidders.”

One of its major projects has been to update the government’s Procurement Rules, which is still in process as the rules have not been updated since their inception in 1984.

The State of Education, Environment, Security, Key Demographics, and Culture will be reviewed in upcoming issues of Samoa News.