Acting Gov rescinds ‘affordable access’ to Industrial Park land leases

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through an Aug. 12the general memorandum, Acting Gov. Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale, rescinded, the government’s Sept. 30, 2020 “Senator Daniel Inouye Industrial Park Economic Stimulus Policy” which set new land lease rates and other policies for the ASG owned facility, commonly referred to as the Tafuna Industrial Park.

“Rates for new leases will be based on the best interests of the American Samoa Government and fair market value,” wrote Talauega in the memo addressed to cabinet members and distributed publicly last Friday. No other explanation was provided in the directive for the reason behind rescinding the 2020 policy for the 325 acres of government land.

BACKGROUND

The Commerce Department — during the Lolo Administration — announced in a news release last year the new lease rates, saying that given the global economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, there is uncertainty in the local economy, and it is only reasonable to provide affordable access to the industrial park for economic development opportunities.

DOC also said sat the time that rising rental costs had stifled the ability of current tenants to engage in economic development expansion programs or to attract foreign venture capital to grow their respective businesses.

Accordingly, the rental rate for all leases was set at 25 cents per square foot with a five (5) year periodic review for rent escalation based on inflation and other relevant factors, according to DOC.

The rescinded rates also imposed a two-year moratorium on monthly rental payment for new tenants.

ASG ACTNG BOSSES

Also in two-separate memos, dated Aug. 12th, and addressed to cabinet members, Talauega designated Manu’a District Governor, Misaalefua J. Hudson as acting Secretary of Samoan Affairs and Election Office deputy director Tavai Fiti Tavai as acting chief election officer.

Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Mauga T. Asuega and Chief Election Officer, Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei will both be absent from their posts beginning Aug. 12th, according to the memos, but didn’t give a time frame of when the two ASG officials will be back to their positions.

Talauega requested cabinet members to give their support and cooperation to Misaalefua and Tavai.