Ads by Google Ads by Google

AS-EPA expands services to the Manu’a Islands

For the first time, the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA) has opened its doors and expanded its services to the islands of Manu’a. This was made possible due to a policy set forth by Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga, wherein he urged his cabinet to extend government services and programs to the Manu’a Islands. In response, AS-EPA hired two personnel from Manu’a earlier this year.

 

The two individuals — Alice Leulua’i and Tumaulealofa Leatiota — have completed months of training to acquire the knowledge needed to effectively perform their duties and responsibilities, according to the AS-EPA.

 

The pair traveled to Tutuila to undergo months of training in order to learn and familiarize themselves with the many different AS-EPA programs.

 

Leatiota recently returned to Ofu, Manu’a where a temporary AS-EPA office was opened at the Ofu Airport terminal earlier this month. Office supplies and equipment, including a vehicle, have already been transported to Ofu to carry out operations there.

 

AS-EPA currently awaits an available spot on the MV Sili to ship the second vehicle, including office supplies and equipment that will be used for their operations in Ta’u, which will be housed in the Manu’a Executive Office Building and manned by Alice Leulua’i.

 

According to AS-EPA Director Ameko Pato, this is the first time the AS-EPA will have a full time presence in the Manu’a Islands and the offices there will serve as the “eyes and ears” for the ASEPA main office.  From a support standpoint, both Manu’a office locations will receive administrative and technical support from the AS-EPA main office in Tutuila. 

 

Pato added that, as an environmental regulatory agency, it is paramount that we work together with the residents and village leaders in Manu’a in order to protect public health and our natural resources, and more importantly, to improve the quality of life in the Manu’a Islands.