Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Lemanu-Talauega Administration has re-appointed Fa’amasino Upuese Galoia to the post of acting director of the Department of Search and Rescue. The re-appointment made by acting governor Talauega E. V. Ale, through a Feb. 08 memorandum, comes after the Fono failed to confirm Galoia as director of the new ASG department.

While the House gave its endorsement, the Senate rejected the director-nominee. Approval by both chambers is required for a nominee to be officially confirmed by the Fono.

Samoa News notes that although Galoia is re-appointed to the acting-director post, it does not mean that his name will be resubmitted to the Fono for confirmation.

The Administration has the option of sending to the Fono a new nominee during the current session — which is now in recess and reconvenes on Mar. 13 — or resubmit Galoia’s name during Second Regular Session, which usually begins in July.

Based on Samoa News achives, Galoia is the only director-nominee that has been rejected by the Senate since the Lemanu-Talauega Administration took the helm of government in January 2021.