Gov’s chief of staff says admin is taking action for Aunu’u

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The protest by Aunuu residents demonstrating earlier this month did not fall on deaf ears.

The Lemanu and Talauega Administration are taking action. This is according to the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Loa Tauapa’i Mulipola in response to questions from Samoa News.

Last week constituents of Sao’le gathered at Utulei beach to raise awareness claiming the lack of necessary actions by the American Samoa Government following the King Tides in July that damaged the wharf and some parts of their village of Aunu’u.

 “The Department of Public Works and the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security have visited Aunu’u and have plans laid out for Aunuu,” said Loa.

He did not outline when the Government will take action and referred queries to the Director of Public Works, Faleosina Voigt. However emails to the Director for comments were not answered at press time.

Prior to the protest that Aunu’u lawmaker Titialii Kitara Vaiau came out against, he said his constituency needs to give the government time to put in place processes to ensure that the work that needs to be done for Aunu’u will be done.

As reported earlier by Samoa News Titialii said he is not siding with the government, “but it is only fair that the administration is given ample time to respond to our needs.”

 “People on the east side can attest to the work currently underway for roadwork, which has now reached Laulii,” he said.

Adding there is so much work that needs to be done for Aunu’u and that the government should take appropriate actions, but a protest would “not help our cause,” said Titialii.

He also cited that there are bigger plans for Aunu’u including plans for a bridge connecting the island of Aunu’u to Tutuila.

Titialii said that a feasibility study should be conducted on this important project, as traveling by boat between Aunu’u and Tutuila is one of the most dangerous forms of transportation in the territory.