Fono reconvenes Monday — confirmations and budget on agenda

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Save Liuato Afa Tuitele who is also a former Commissioner of Public Safety, has been nominated by the Lemanu- Talauega Administration as director of the Search and Rescue Department.

Another nomination by the Administration is Aoelua Solomona Vaioletama Aoelua, to the post of director for the Office of Public Information (OPI), which operates the government run KVZK-TV.

Acting governor, Talauega Eleasalo Ale submitted the nominees for confirmation to the Fono, which reconvenes on Monday, following a three-week mid-session recess, with the priority on their agenda —  the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget, as well as the administration’s directorship nominees.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

In an Aug. 9 letter to Fono leaders, Talauega wrote that he has appointed Save as the director of Search and Rescue Department and therefore submitted his name for confirmation as required by law.

Talauega explained that Save is a product of the local education system and graduated from Samoana High School as a member of the National Honor Society before joining the U. S. Army.

“His years of military service highlight his skills in leadership, critical and analytical thinking, and problem-solving. He was entrusted with the professional development and safety of hundreds of people as well as equipment valued at millions of dollars,” Talauega points out.

“He has also served the Territory as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, Director of the Office of Fraud Investigations, and Associate Judge of the High Court. His background and experience make him an ideal leader of the Department of Search and Rescue,” the acting governor said and urged the Fono to review and confirm the nominee.

Save was a gubernatorial candidate in the 2012 general election and served as police commissioner during the Lolo Administration.

The Lemanu-Talauega Administration had initially nominated Faamasino Upuese Galoia to the directorship post, but didn’t get approval by the Senate although he was confirmed by the House. Under local law, a director-nominee must receive approval by both chambers to be fully endorsed by the Fono.

OPI DIRECTOR

Talauega, in his Aug. 02 nomination letter to the Fono, noted that Aoelua has past experience with OPI “having worked as a cameraman and later promoted to TV Producer- Director. His extensive executive management experience in addition to his working knowledge of media operations makes him an ideal candidate for the position.”

Talauega solicits the Fono’s support in confirming Aoelua’s nomination as director of OPI.

The Administration appointed Aoelua earlier this year to sever as acting director, after then- director, Aaron Hall resigned.

At the start of Lemanu- Talauega Administration in 2021, the governor nominated Aoelua as director of OPI but he didn’t get approval by the Senate, although he was endorsed by the House. Thereafter, Hall was nominated to the post and was officially confirmed by both the Senate and House.

OTHER ISSUES

The proposed FY 2024 budget — which commences on Oct. 01, 2023 — will be the priority legislation when the Fono reconvenes on Monday, with Fono Joint Budget Committee hearings set to begin on Aug. 28. (See Samoa News edition Aug. 11 for details.)

According to Fono schedule submitted to the Governor’s Office, budget hearings run through Sept. 07, with the Fono the final budget review by lawmakers.

Besides the budget and confirmation hearings, there is also pending legislation in committees for review and decision.