Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga is moving forward with the relocation of the E-Rate Office from a building in Utulei — next to the ECE Center — to government property in Tafuna. The governor first gave verbal instructions for the relocation of the office two months ago during a cabinet meeting, saying that the building housing the E-Rate Office, which is overseen by the Education Department is not safe and is always affected during storms.

Samoa News notes that this was one of the ASG buildings that experienced flooding during Tropical Storm Gita in 2018 as well as previous cyclones.

So during the cabinet meeting early this month, Lolo instructed American Samoa TeleCommunications Authority’s chief executive officer, Fala Sualevai to focus on getting this relocation project moving, as soon as the plan is in place.

He said the E-Rate office will be moved from Utulei to Tafuna, but the governor didn’t identify the location in Tafuna, although it will be an ASG property.

Sualevai responded that “as soon as we get the plan layout” from ASDOE, “then, we will start doing the assessment and start the work.”

Last week Wednesday, Samoa News sought additional information on the plan and ASDOE director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga referred inquiries to her deputy director, Philo Jennings — who has yet to reply as of this past weekend.