Community News Briefs

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The deadline for students interested in applying for the Governor’s Initiative Medical School Scholarship has been extended to August 15.

The scholarship covers tuition, books, travel, and living expenses, for students to attend the Fiji National University to study towards a medical degree or allied health field. Recipients commit to serving at LBJ as physicians or dentists after graduation.

Application forms can be obtained from the office of the Chief Medical Officer at the LBJ Hospital at 633-1222, or by emailing Dr. Titiimaea at [email protected].

PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FY 2026

The Pulaali’i and Pulu administration is proposing an 11% increase in their budget for FY2026 from FY 2025, according to an executive summary of the proposed budget that has been submitted by the administration to the Fono, while awaiting completion of the final budget document.

The summary indicates the increase in revenue is not in local streams, but is in federal grants — showing a 32% increase over FY 2025; while local revenues are estimated at a 15% decrease compared to the FY 2025 total.

Payroll or personnel costs still top expenses at 69.3%, following the usual local government pattern.

In his letter to Fono leaders, Governor Pulaalii N. Pulu highlighted their focus of “expanding the government’s revenue base through strategic planning and unwasteful spending.”

He also highlighted the fiscal strain the government is under, as of the close of the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 — there was a significant shortfall of roughly $35 million or 21% compared to what was budgeted.

This was further exacerbated by the outstanding $13 million owed to the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund, as well as potential liabilities estimated at $30 to $40 million stemming from “prior non contracted capital projects.”

Pulaalii pointed out that the administration is working to expedite the expenditure of the remaining $400 million in ARPA funds to stimulate local economic activity and generate indirect revenues.

In addition, the governor writes of “improving our broadband infrastructure, through the pursuit of the Google cable and implementing new tax and customs systems to provide efficient data — as well as improved tracking to ensure our main revenue sources are protected and applied in real time with transparency.”

The Fono is slated to return next month, September, to take up the government’s proposed FY 2026 budget. As previously mentioned, it does not coincide with the opening of the new Fono building which has once again been delayed — this time to October 2025.

AIRPORT CARTS OUTSOURCED TO PRIVATE COMPANY

The operation of carts at the airport has been outsourced to a private company because of several factors, according to the Director of Port Administration Barney Sene, during a recent House hearing. They include the overtime costs for personnel to operate the carts; maintenance of carts; and, the carts not being able to handle a load of more than 250- 300 lbs.

Sene said there was an RFP in January and one company, Legacy, made a bid, and was offered the contract to supply and operate the carts.

He said Legacy spent $100,000 to purchase the 150 carts and their contract is for 7 years. As part of the contract, the airport receives $1 from every cart fee. Sene did not know who the owners of Legacy are.

Faipule Shaun Vaa who had raised the issue about the airport carts, said sometimes the company doesn’t give receipts upon payment. So how can the airport claim its share of the fees? The director said he will look into this and agreed the operator should issue receipts at all times.

The director is looking at eventually offering free carts when the new airport terminal is completed.

(Source: talanei.com)

PETITION OPPOSES DEEP SEABED MINING

Two activist groups have issued a petition that opposes the imposition of deep seabed mining off American Samoa.

The petition is organized by Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. and America the Beautiful for All Coalition in support of leaders and communities from American Samoa and all US territories.

The White House earlier this year issued an executive order that would purportedly allow US-affiliated companies to mine the deep seabed in US and international waters. The order comes despite the United States not being a member of the International Seabed Authority, the global body overseeing deep-sea mining.

The order sought to expedite permitting from US agencies to facilitate the commercial extraction of minerals like cobalt, nickel and manganese from deep-sea environments both within US waters and far beyond US national jurisdiction. It specifically directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow permitting for deep-sea mining.

(Source: Deeper Blue)