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Reduction in gas coupons is effective this month

 Public Works Director Faleosina Voigt. [SN file photo]
Vehicles fueled with federal $$$ are exempted
fili@samoanews.com

ASG vehicles that are fueled by federal money are exempted from the reduction in gasoline coupons policy, which is effective this month, according to Public Works Director Faleosina Voigt's June 12 memo to Executive Branch directors and agency heads.

At last Friday’s cabinet meeting, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga emphasized the importance of continued efforts to keep spending down by cutting unnecessary expenses for the rest of FY 2017.

One such expenditure, which has been reduced by order of the Governor, is the monthly allocation for gasoline to fuel ASG vehicles.

Lolo said he has directed Public Works - which oversees the ASG Motor Pool gas station -  to reduce the allocation by 50% for the rest of FY 2017 and this covers all ASG vehicles for executive branch departments and offices.

In her memo, Voigt reminded directors of the Governor’s advice during the cabinet meeting, and informed them that effective immediately, with this month’s fuel allocation, all departments with vehicles fueled with local funding will have their coupon allocations cut in half until further notice.

“To keep up with this measure, please coordinate/plan accordingly with your departments on the use of vehicles to ensure a smooth transition into the reduction,” Voigt wrote.

She noted that the reduction “does not affect grant fueled vehicles, provided that your grant POs (purchase orders) are delivered timely as local fuel will be unable to supplement your fueling needs.”

Voigt acknowledged the support and cooperation from all Executive Branch departments.

At the cabinet meeting, she said the impact of the new reduction of gasoline coupons will not be realized until the end of June, as there are still allocations left over from May. Additionally, she expects the reduction in the gasoline coupon allocation to last through the end of the current fiscal year, which is Sept. 30.

Lolo encouraged directors to save gasoline by cutting down on the use of ASG vehicles in their departments.

Samoa News has received, since Tuesday morning, a few calls from the public about observing ASG vehicles all over the road Monday during the daytime, and also during nighttime hours. “So much for saving gasoline,” said some of the callers to Samoa News.