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Gov make “recess appointment” to ASEDA board

Ti’alemasunu Dr. Mikaele Etuale
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a Mar. 18th memorandum, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga made the “recess appointment” of Chief Procurement Officer, Ti’alemasunu Dr. Mikaele Etuale, as a member to the board of the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA).

According to the governor, Ti’alemasunu’s years of experience in public administration and finance as well as his position as chief procurement officer, make him ideal for the position on the board.

“As the Legislature is not currently in session, this is a recess appointment which will expire at the conclusion of the next regular or special session of the Legislature,” the governor explained, and noted that he has submitted Ti’alemasunu’s name to the Senate and House for consideration.

This is Lemanu’s first “recess appointment” as governor.

Provision of local law allows a governor to make “recess appointments” — when the Fono is not in session — to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, or removal of cause if the vacancy occurs while the Legislature is not in session. Recess appointments shall expire at the conclusion of the next following regular or special session of the Legislature.

Lawmakers return in July for the Second Regular Session of the 37th Legislature.

Prior to the close of the First Regular Session on Mar. 12th, the Fono had confirmed the governor’s nomination of Attorney General Fainu’ulelei Falefatu Alailima-Utu, Port Administration director Christopher King, the Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel, Jason Mitchell and ASG Treasurer Malemo L. Tausaga to the ASEDA board.