Governor Pula’alii Nikolao Pula’s move to dissolve the Board of Directors of the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority ahead of a Senate hearing into ASTCA spending on the 250 Independence on July 4th received a strong rebuke from Senator Muagututi’a Tauoa.
Muagututi’a outright called for Pulaali’i removal saying his actions were disrespectful and rude and does not accord dignity to the position he holds. The clearly agitated senior senator said the Senate was trying to fix discrepancies in the government but “Pula was trying to run the government by himself”.
“Pula this is not your government. It’s the government of Tutuila and Manu’a”, declared Muagututi’a declared.
He said this is what happens when someone who has been living off island becomes a matai and is not fully versed with the ways of a matai, especially being respectful.
Muagututi’a also criticized Governor Pula for not respecting Lt Governor Pulumataaala Ae Ae jr. He went on to say that no one should vote for Pula again and that he should be removed as Governor.
This was the harshest comments that Muagututi’a known for his biting criticism of the government has directed at the Governor.
The Senator made his comments at what was supposed to be a hearing of the Senate Government Operations Committee with the ASTCA Board of Directors concerning spending on the July 4th celebration.
Committee Chairman Senator Togiola Tulafono informed the Committee of correspondence from the Chief of Staff Leonard Seumanutafa dated August 27 requesting that the hearing with the Board be postponed until after the ASTCA CEO returns from off-island on September 8. Togiola said he didn’t answer the Chief of Staff’s letter and wanted to await whether the Board members would attend the hearing. However on August 28th the Governor sent members of the Board a letter advising of his decision to dissolve the Board.
Board member Molitogi Lemana also sent Togiola a letter advising that he would not attend the scheduled hearing as the Governor had removed the board members. A similar letter was received from Board member Ella Gurr.
Togiola said the Governor sent the letter from off island and the Acting Governor was not copied, only the CEO of ASTCA was copied. He pointed out there were proper protocols for correspondence between the branches of government and he was saddened that the Chief of Staff was the one who wrote to the Committee, when it should have been the Acting Governor. According to Togiola this reflected the executive branch’s lack of recognition or respect of the Fono. He also said it wasn’t right that the letter to the ASTCA board was signed by the Governor when he was off island and the Lt Governor as Acting Governor is in charge of the government. Togiola said it was disappointing that while the committee was seeking information from the ASTCA Board to shed light on the matter at hand, the Governor has dissolved the Board. He said this was a serious matter and urged that the Senate discuss an appropriate response.
He recommended that the committee issue subpoenas to the ASTCA Board members to appear as citizens of the territory who have information pertaining to the matter that the Senate is looking into.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean also expressed his disappointment with the Governor’s move and how he views the Fono. He also was sad that the Lt Governor’s role as Acting Governor when the Governor is absent from the territory is not respected. Tuaolo asked Togiola for his legal opinion on whether the Governor had authority to remove board members while he was off island.
Togiola explained that under the Executive Order which established ASTCA, the Governor appoints the Board, and can also remove Board members at his discretion. He did say that it was a concern that the government was being run from off island, when the Acting Governor is at the helm when the Governor is absent.
Senator Utu Sila Poasa cited the American Samoa Code Annotated and the Revised Constitution of American Samoa which provides that the Lt Governor shall have all the powers and duties of the governor “during the Governor’s temporary absence. ASCA 4.0106 (a) states” “in case of temporary disability or temporary absence of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor has the powers of the Governor.”
At the end of the discussion it was decided that the Committee will issue subpoenas to all of the ASTCS Bosrd members who have been removed, to appear at a hearing on the 250th celebrations spending by ASTCA, as individual citizens of the territory. A hearing is set for September 14.
