The first Manu’a Cession Day celebration for the Lemanu p/Talauega administration came under scrutiny during review of the Special Programs budget yesterday.
Chief of Staff Tuimavave Tauapai Laupola fielded questions about how much was spent on the Manu’a celebration from Senator Magalei Logovii while Senator Soliai Tuipine suggested thst the Fono advice the “new governor” there’$ only one Flag Day celebration for Tutuila and Manu’a whereas Manu’a Cession Day is just a public holiday.
Magalei said he learned from orators at the Manu’a celebration that the money government gave them was less then $5000. He asked the Chief of Staff how much was spent on the celebration.
Tuimavave said the money allocated for the Manu’a celebration was $150,000. He told lawmakers it was the will of the Governor that Manu’a should have the same celebration as Tutuila.
Magalei wanted to know what was actually spent not what was allocated. He pointed out that ASG officials who traveled from Tutuila were paid a per diem yet there was a bill of $10,000 to cover food. And from reports he’s received from people in Manu’a they were the ones that bore the cost of hosting the travelers from Tutuila.
There was strong reaction from Senator Soliai. He said there’s nothing in the law about a Flag Day for Manu’a, just a holiday to commemorate the cession of Manu’a to the United States in 1904.
He said the last administration started this new trend of having a Manu’a Flag Day which the new administration is now following. “It appears we have two governments,” said the Ituau Senator. But American Samoa has only one Flag Day for Tutuila and Manu’a, not a different Flag Day for Tutuila and another for Manu’a.
Soliai suggested that the Fono advise “the new governor” to stop this practice of having a Manu’a Flag Day.
Manu’a Senator Ma’o Fa’auma Gogo told thr Chief of Staff the people will always find out about their actions. He advised that ASG officials treat Manu’a well and not be pretentious.
About the celebration, Ma’o said the people of Manu’a are saying “they returned with money stuffed in their pockets.”
Senate President Tuaolo Fruean Manaia told Tuimavave the statements by senators are food for thought and should help him as the governors top aide.
He said these are the sentiments of ordinary people who cannot express themselves and are conveying their opinions to senators to voice.
Tuolo questions the Chief of Staff if the money that was distributed in Manu’a was cash or checks.
According to Tuimavave prizes fro the Farm Fair and fishing tournament were in cash while gifts for the churches and entertaining groups were by check.
He said the amount of money spent on the Manu’a celebration was $70,000 and they didn’t return with-money to Tutuila as claimed.
The Manu’a celebration funding came from the Governor’s Special Programs for ceremonial activities.
For the new fiscal year, $400,000 is budgeted for ceremonial activities.
