The contractor for the new Fono building has been advised to assign more workers to the project and try to complete it within 1 1/12 years. The project went through thorough scrutiny at a hearing of the Senate Government Operations Committee Friday at which ASG witnesses and the contractor Paramount Builders testified.
Public Works Director Faleosina Voigt, Budget Director Catherine Saelua, Director of the American Samoa Economic Development Authority Blanche Lulu Barber and President/CEO of Paramount Builders Papalii Laulii Alofa were the witnesses.
The building design, funding, status to date and other issues were covered during the more than hour long hearing, led by Committee Chairman Senator Togiola Tulafono.
Senators were told that total funding approved for the project is $19,861,321. Of that amount $48,000 is remaining.
The expended and encumbered amount of $16 million includes $2.1 million paid to Lively and Associates, the architect and also the construction manager for the job plus $12,779,000 to the construction contractor, Paramount.
The money going to Paramount covers the demolition, the first foundation which was later removed, and the new one on piles as well as construction of the main Fono building.
The main Fono building is a two story structure which includes the House and Senate chambers plus offices for the Senate President and House Speaker, conference rooms, and Fono lawyer offices on the top floor.
Public Works Director Voigt explained that the construction of offices for senators and representatives is to be bid out separately. As yet there’s no funding for this phase.
Much was said about the design for the Fono building with Senator Fonoti Tafa’ifa saying everyone who was at the groundbreaking would recall the design that was displayed. She remembered Nikolao Pula, Director of Interior’s Office of insular Affairs describing it as a spaceship.
Fonoti questioned why the design was changed. She quipped, “the spaceship exploded and fell apart” because the project was not started right from the beginning.
Voigt said the design has remained the same however the latest rendering that the architect produced gives the building a different look but it’s still the same design.
For his part Paramount President Papalii Laulii Alofa said they are just following the designs given them by the government. He suggested that the architect also be brought into the discussion.
Fonoti inquired about the cost of the foundation which was later removed.
Voigt said the cost was $1.2 million and the new foundation which FEMA required to be built on piles, is $5 million.
According to Papalii that some parts of the first foundation were put to use for the new one.
The project is to be completed in August of next year.
Senator Utu Sila Poasa said it made sense to build the lawmakers’ offices simultaneously with the main Fono building. This way the two phases can be completed at the same time.
He advised Papalii to assign more employees to work on the Fono project and do their best to finish it in 1 1/2 years.
Senators were not too happy about the design of their offices.
Committee Chairman Togiola said they were going to be housed in an extension, “a faase’e.” But the Public Works Director said the design for the offices is very nice design with a court yard and windows with an ocean view.
Senators Uti Petelo, Soliai Tuipine and Alo Stevenson advised her to put their best efforts into making the Fono building a project to be proud of as this was the people’s Fono building.
Senator Uti felt that the contractor was abiding by the contract but Public Works wasn’t doing its jobs to ensure that the project was moving forward and according to plan.
