At the opening of the Fourth Regular Session of the 39th Legislature on Monday, Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula extended an olive branch to the Fono.
The Governor’s address was delivered almost entirely in English, a departure from past addresses at Fono opening ceremonies.
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When the last Fono session ended there were disagreements between the Fono and Governor concerning the salary of directors who had not been submitted for Fono confirmation and also a move by the Legislature to ban the Governor’s Chief of Staff after an incident in the House.
Touching briefly on the government’s financial position the Governor said that his administration inherited mounting financial obligations which had accumulated over the years. He said the debts could not be resolved overnight but with hard choices and commitment he said ASG was now in a condition of financial stability.
The Governor said that the Fiscal Year 2026 budget had reduced local revenues by $25 million compared to the previous year budget. He indicated that the Fiscal Year 2027 budget would reduce local revenues by a further $3.5 million. He said the further reduction is intended to align government spending more closely with “revenues we realistically expect to collect”.
Governor Pulaalii said the government was continuing its efforts to grow the local economy and mentioned the administration’s efforts to improve customs and tax systems, revenue collections and assisting the private sector.
He also lauded the territory’s partnership with the United States which has resulted in funding for the Le Vasa Google cable.
The Governor also highlighted the progress made in spending of ARPA funds, that out of total funding awarded to the territory of $343 million, over $251 million has been expended in the past 18 month alone. He said the administration is committed to completing the remaining 58 APRA funded projects before the deadline at the end of this year.
Pulaalii appealed to the Fono to pass legislation that he would be submitting concerning the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund.
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Other projects that the Governor touched on as far as infrastructure and improving economic development were the airport and port improvement projects. He said the $8.2 million airport parking lot is set to be completed next year and construction of the new airport terminal is to begin in 2027.
The government has also secured funding to rehabilitate the main dock and bidding for a significant part of the project will begin next month.
Pulaalii said transportation services to Manu’a cannot rely solely on one vessel, the Manu’atele and referred to the grounding of the vessel due to deficiencies cited by the US Coast Guard. He said the Manu’atele requires about half a million dollars each year for proper maintenance and the government is seeking a funding source.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean began his response to the Governor’s address by singing a song that mentions forgiveness, in an apparent acknowledgement of Pulaalii’s offer of an olive branch.
Tuaolo, who is chairman of the Retirement Fund Board of Trustees said the government owes about $20 million to the Retirement Fund. He felt that the 14% employer contribution that the government has to pay is too high. He expressed the wish that during this session the Fono would come up with a solution to resolve the Retirement Fund debt.
The administration is proposing that the employer contribution to the Retirement Fund be reduced to 8%.
Tuaolo cited what he said was a Russian quote: “Your enemy is a yes man but your friend always argues with you”. He told the Governor, “the Fono is not your enemy, the Fono is your friend”. He said the governor should seek advice from Senators and Representatives. He finished by quoting parting words by the late Governor Lolo Moliga to him and the House Speaker, that the Pula and Pulu administration is new and the Fono leaders should lend their assistance and guidance to steer the government.
Photos: ASG
