Fono Briefs
by Fili Sagapolutele
and La Poasa
Samoa News reporters
SENATE PRESIDENT
RAISES CONCERNS OVER SHORTAGES OF SCHOOL BUSES
Senate President
Lolo M. Moliga has told Gov. Togiola Tulafono in a letter yesterday
that the Senate stands ready to support plans the Administration
has to address the shortages of buses, which he described as
a "potentially dangerous situation".
He said frustrated
parents have voiced complaints with the Senate about the lack
of buses and inquiries by Senate staff revealed that out of the
entire bus fleet only 10 buses are fully functional and comply
with safety standards.
Lolo said this
information differs from disclosures by the DOE main office that
12 buses are addressing the needs of public and private schools.
He said this type of crisis situation "could produce residual
consequences which we might not be willing to accept."
"The paramount
concern is the safety of the school children, and appropriate
investigation has not been conducted to determine the possible
use of private buses to help ease the crisis," said Lolo.
He recalled that
this was done before and suggested that it be done again.
"It is obvious
that a long-term solution is required, not only to address the
new school year (2008-2009), but also for the future so the replication
of this type of situation will not be an issue," he added.
Last week DOE
director Dr. Claire Poumele told Samoa News that DOE is still
waiting for spare parts to arrive on island to repair more than
10 buses that are down. The spare parts are not found on island.
HOUSE INTRODUCES
OWN VERSION OF MINISTER VOTING BILL
The House yesterday
introduced their own version of a bill that would allow church
ministers and their families who are on religious assignments
off island to vote absentee for local elective offices.
The measure,
H.B. 30-35, is sponsored by House Speaker Talavou Ale, Vice Speaker
Agaoleatu Charlie Tautolo and Reps. Laolagi F. Savali Vaeao and
Mase Akapo.
According to
the measure, a member of clergy must present a written request
for an absentee ballot: a confirmation of his authority as a
minister in a particular church to which he belongs and a certification
by the headquarters or governing body of the church or religious
organization to which he belongs that the individual, and his
spouse and children, are on official assignment from the church.
The bill will
be reviewed by the Local Government/TAOA/Elections Committee,
chaired by Rep. Tali T. Maae, today. Agaoelatu, who is the vice
chairman of the committee, announced the hearing as the chairman
was not present yesterday.
Chief Election
Office Soliai Tuipine Fuimaono is scheduled to testify at the
hearing today.
SENATOR ALO
CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO MONITOR PRICES OF GOODS
With the cost
of living on the rise due to various factors such as fuel costs
and the minimum wage, Sen. Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson has called
on the government to keep a close watch on the prices of goods
sold in the territory.
Alo told senators
that it is the consumers that will suffer if all of a sudden
prices get out of control. He said current prices - especially
for food items - are already affecting low income families.
He suggested
to Senate President Lolo M. Moliga for the Senate President's
Office to send an official letter to the Attorney General's Office
for the Consumer Protection Bureau to keep a close watch on the
way local merchants change their prices.
He said the government
needs to make sure prices are not out of control, especially
with another 50-cent wage hike slated to go into effect later
this month.
LOLO CONGRATULATES
BHE FOR SECURING A COLLEGE PRESIDENT
Senate President
Lolo M. Moliga yesterday wrote to Uta Dr. Laloulu Tagoilelagi,
chairman of the Board of Higher Education (BHE), congratulating
the ASCC governing body for successfully securing a new president
for the college.
The BHE appointed
Dr. Seth Galeai, a longtime ASCC official, to the presidency
post. Dr. Galea'i - who has been serving as acting president
since Dr. Adele Satele-Galea'i stepped down last year for health
reasons - began his new duties yesterday.
Uta informed
the Fono leadership about their selection of Dr. Galea'i in a
letter on Tuesday. He said that it is the board's opinion that
Dr. Galea'i has done an exemplary job of leading the college
during the prolonged leave of absence of former president Dr.
Satele-Galeai.
In his letter
to Uta, Lolo said he is pleased with the board's decision of
selecting someone from within its organization.
"As the
territory faces tremendous challenges, brought on by economic
uncertainties, I firmly believe that the most positive response
that we can muster is enhancing the intellectual and academic
capacity of our people," he said.
Reach Fili
Sagapolutele at fili@samoanews.com.
Reach La Poasa at la@samoanews.com.
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