Members of the House of Representatives are pressing for information on the investment of the interest earned from ARPA funds, which had accumulated up to $10 million as of 2 years ago.
Representative Faimealelei Anthony Allen raised the matter in the House yesterday. It was his understanding that the administration has invested the money and he said the only way to confirm prove this is to issue a subpoena for a report explaining how the funds have been invested and how the earnings have been used. He said this was the only way that lawmakers can obtain information on the ARPA interest investment. He referred to a previous request by Rep Fagaima Larry Sanitoa to use the ARPA interest to pay ASG’s debt to the Retirement Fund.
Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu said if they continue to voice their opinions and not take any action, their statements are worthless. He said if reports that the Governor has invested the $10 million without the Fono’s knowledge or approval are true, this was a matter that the House should investigate. He said the government is not led by one person, and the administration cannot use funds without the Fono’s approval.
The Chairman of the House Budget and Appropriations Committee Vailoata Amituanai said information on the $10 million investment has been requested from the Director of the ARPA Office who is testifying at a hearing of his committee today.
The investment of the ARPA interest is also the topic of a hearing by the Senate Government Operations Committee this morning with Acting Treasurer Carri-lee Magalei-Tulafono.
In other news from the House, Rep Fagaima says with the latest developments at the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, perhaps it’s time to establish ASTCa by law. He is urging that the House revive a bill that would create ASTCA an authority by statute.
Fagaima said aside from ASCTA’s budget, the Fono doesn’t have any say in ASTCA’s operation. He said the ASTCA Board has been dissolved without any communication with the Fono. “It seems that the government is being run by the executive alone,” he said “and the Fono is being kept in the dark”.
Rep Vailoata Amituanai along with Fagaima took issue with a statement in ASTCA’s FY2027 budget submission that some information about ASTCA finances is confidential. Fagaima said ASTCA was a public entity and ASTCA should not dictate what information the Fono should be privy to, that’s a decision for the Fono to make.
