Governor Pula’alii Nikolao Pula on Friday dissolved the Board of Directors of the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA).
The Governor, who traveled off-island last Wednesday, sent a letter Friday afternoon to members of the Board advising of his decision. “After careful consideration I believe it is in ASTCA’s best interests to reconstitute the Board at this time. This was not an easy decision and is the result of many factors. My decision is effective immediately, which means you are not to represent ASTCA in any capacity moving forward”.
The letter did not name the “many factors” that the Governor said led to his decision. He thanked the board members for their service saying, “Your knowledge and insight helped ASTCA navigate a critical time with multiple high level projects underway. However, as ASTCA continues to make progress in all areas, there are new challenges that must be met to keep momentum moving in the right direction”.
Members of the ASTCA Board are Vice Chairman Maota Alex Sene Jr., Ella Gurr, Lewis Seau, Omar Shalhout, Karen Satele and Molitogi Lemana. Board member Andrew Berquist resigned earlier this month.
A Board member who did not wish to be named told KHJ News that the Board had met earlier Friday to prepare for a hearing of the Senate Government Operations Committee set for today. The Committee asked for a report on spending by ASTCA on the 250- Independence Celebrations on July 4th. The request dated August 24th said the Committee was looking into whether local funds or federal funds were used to fund the celebration.
Three days after the request from the Senate Government Operations Committee, the Governor’s Chief of Staff Leonard Seumanutafa wrote Committee Chairman Senator Togiola Tulafono requesting that the hearing be postponed to a date after September 8.
He said the reason is that ASTCA CEO Folasaitu Sorepa Thomas is on official ASG business, attending the Pacific Islands Forum meeting. Seumanutafa said the CEO is an integral part of any discussion related to ASTCA business and is involved in preparing the report sought by the Committee.
“Given some of the recent changes to the Board, her insight may also help fill some of the gaps with the remaining Board members,” he wrote. Seumanutafa advised that the CEO was returning September 8 and would be available for any hearing date the Committee chairman would set.
The following day August 28, Governor Pulaalii sent his letter dissolving the Board.
Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. was unaware of the Governor’s decision to dissolve the ASTCA Board. He was not copied on the Governor’s letter. Reached over the weekend, Pulu said he only learned of the Governor’s letter after getting calls about it.
He said Governor Pulaali’i never discussed the matter with him.
